When Marcus Rashford was struggling under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, his frustration and lack of impact were partly rooted in the failure to play him higher up the field. Rashford comes alive in the final third.
A set of detailed diagrams, data and heat maps of Rashford’s movement have circulated in football over the past few years. In his prolific 2022–23 season, Rashford averaged six touches in the box per game (similar to the likes of Erling Haaland now), dropping to five in 23–24 and three last season. Such stark analytics were viewed by Rashford’s critics as evidence of his ebbing interest in the game: overpaid, under-performing. Rashford’s supporters saw it as proof that United were not using him effectively: too far from goal to do damage.
When he swiftly fell out of favour with Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim (he did start the first game, away to Ipswich Town), Rashford was frustrated by the new manager’s wing-back system that didn’t suit him.
Other issues arose: Amorim questioned Rashford’s professionalism, ordered him to train away from the first team and got him out on loan, first to Aston Villa, and now to Barcelona.
Rashford’s resurgence will inevitably trigger debate about whether United were wise to let such a talent leave, especially a home-grown one (on loan but with a £26 million ($35 million) option to buy and he’s keen to stay at Barcelona). For a club that prides itself on developing players it was embarrassing that United had no representatives in England’s most recent squad; Rashford was there as a Barcelona player. Rashford’s form will intensify scrutiny of Amorim’s decisions and methods.
It was very clear from very early on that Amorim didn’t want Rashford, and there was a feeling within the club that his colossal wages could be re-invested in players the new man wanted. Yet anyone with any understanding of Rashford, a slightly shy character, knows that he delivers most when feeling supported both emotionally and tactically.
