The Marcus Rashford experience is one Manchester United fans are very familiar with by now.
The cycle tends to go like this…
- New manager arrives, and Rashford hits form
- Rashford loses form, manager gets frustrated
- Change of manager, start again
New head coach Ruben Amorim seems to have no patience to let the same never-ending revolving door keep on spinning. He has come in and decided to challenge Rashford straight away.
The first two steps played out in the first 68 minutes Rashford played against Ipswich. He scored after two minutes, then drifted into anonymity.
After the game Amorim expressed doubts Rashford could play the striker role, and in his pre-game press conference vs Bodo/Glimt, he admitted the position is not the best for Rashford, and challenged him to step up.
Rashford omitted for Hojlund
It was highly probable that Manchester United’s number nine, Rasmus Hojlund, was going to be rotated into the starting XI to face Bodo/Glimt.
Hojlund seized his chance, providing one assist and scoring two goals in Manchester United’s 3-2 victory.
The Dane surely now has to keep his spot for Manchester United’s tilt with Everton at the weekend, and the biggest games moving forward.
Rotation will mean Rashford could have a back-up role. As for where Joshua Zirkzee fits in, still, nobody knows, he did not get a minute against the Norwegians.
Hojlund ended up playing all 90 minutes, deservedly so. It was a show of faith from his head coach.
- READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace
Rashford now an odd fit
Marcus Rashford came on in the second half, replacing Mason Mount, who was making his first start since August.
And this is where another problem came in. Marcus Rashford is struggling to fit into the role Mount vacated for him.
It does not require him to be a winger, while Rashford lacks the nous to really influence the game as a 10, and nor does the role play to his strengths by utilising his speed.
When he did get an opportunity he was inefficient, firing his shot wide. He managed 16 touches in 31 minutes, completing 11 passes.
There is work to do, for Amorim and Rashford. The new head coach wants to find a role for him, but it’s unclear where that might be.
And he’s also made very clear he wants the Manchester United academy graduate to step up and deliver.
It’s too early to rush to judgment, but this was a night where Hojlund shined, and Rashford took a backseat.
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