Ruben Amorim, the new manager of Manchester United, has told Marcus Rashford that to regain his best form, he must show the desire to do so.
Although Rashford scored his fifth goal of the season in Amorim’s debut match as manager against Ipswich Town, he has struggled to replicate the form that saw him score 30 goals in the 2022-23 season.
Since then, his performances have dipped, with only 13 goals to his name since the start of last season. Amorim is committed to helping Rashford, but emphasized that it is ultimately up to Rashford to take the initiative.
Rashford has continued to play regularly, but his displays have been less impactful than in previous seasons. Against Ipswich, Amorim used Rashford as a striker in his 3-4-3 formation, though Rashford’s best form came when he played as a left-winger.
Amorim acknowledged that the striker position may not be ideal for Rashford and admitted the forward is struggling. Rashford’s dip in form also resulted in his exclusion from England’s squad for the European Championship this past summer.
Amorim is focused on aiding Rashford’s recovery, but stressed that Rashford needs to take responsibility for his own progress.
After the Ipswich game, Amorim said, “I will try to help him, but that position isn’t the best for him, especially in a game like that.” He added that Rashford must be proactive in improving his form to return to his previous best.
While Amorim commended Rashford for his dedication to the club, he made it clear that Rashford must be the one to push himself back to top form. Amorim also assured Rashford that he has the full support of the club, staff, and fans, but emphasized that Rashford must first have the drive to succeed.
Rashford is not the only one under pressure at Manchester United. The team’s overall attacking performance has been disappointing, with only 13 goals scored in 12 Premier League games, raising concerns about their offensive options.
Amorim made the decision to start Rashford ahead of the club’s big-money signings, Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Højlund, who cost £108.5 million, has scored only twice in 12 appearances, while Zirkzee, purchased for £36.5 million, has netted just once in 18 matches.
Despite these struggles, Amorim remains optimistic that the team’s attacking players can improve, stating, “We need to improve as a team, and these players can score goals.” He also stressed that players like Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo must contribute more to the team’s goal-scoring efforts.
The pressure is on Rashford to rediscover his form, with Amorim backing him but making it clear that Rashford must take the necessary steps to return to the level he reached in 2022-23.
If he does, it will be a significant boost for Manchester United, but it will require Rashford to show the same determination and hunger that once made him one of the Premier League’s top attackers.
