As of right now, Marcus Rashford is set to be a Manchester United player again after his World Cup involvement.
Despite the feeling that he had permanently departed Old Trafford, Barcelona refused their option to buy, and now the result is that Marcus Rashford will probably return to Carrington in early August.
Since then, talks have been held, with the outcome being that United are open to taking Rashford back and vice versa – at least during pre-season.
Whether that lasts, or Rashford will be sold later in the transfer window, remains to be seen. But for the time being, Michael Carrick and United will be planning for Rashford’s return.
Now, Paul Scholes has outlined how he thinks Rashford could work at United.
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Paul Scholes on Marcus Rashford’s potential return
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Scholes outlined his feelings on Rashford returning to Old Trafford this summer.
“I think it rarely happens where a big player goes to a big club on loan for a year, he very rarely comes back and plays for the team. If anyone can get somebody right, it will be Michael Carrick.
“He (Rashford) got influenced a bit with what Ronaldo and Messi did. I know that sounds a bit weird. But I think he got really lazy out of possession; he thought, ‘I am that good’. Going forward, he is that good; he can beat people, he can score goals, almost like Mbappe does, really. I know it sounds stupid to put him on that level, but I think we have seen that with England games.
“United wide players can’t do that. Going back over the years, they have to be up and down. I think it’s the same with a lot of modern wide players. They watch Messi and Ronaldo, and what they have done for the game is sensational, but they don’t do the other side of it.
“When you are not as good as them, you still have to do that, and that side of it will put Michael off. Marcus has the ability to destroy teams. Maybe you try him centre-forward so you don’t have to do that bit going backwards.
“There is clearly a reason why not a lot of clubs go in for Marcus. I think a lot of it has got to be his attitude. With the talent of that player at £26 or £27m it is nothing, it’s like paying £50,000 for a player in League Two.”
Is this a little harsh on Marcus Rashford? Do you feel the same way?
Marcus Rashford has played striker for Manchester United before
Scholes’ idea to use Rashford up front is something that might work really well; he has the pace, striking, and movement to trouble defenders, but he has played as a striker many times before for United.
Rashford has led the line for United 143 times in his career, scoring 55 goals and providing 26 assists.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said that he doesn’t think Rashford is a striker in an interview with Sky Sports, and the player himself also agreed.
Speaking to the UTD Podcast in 2020, Rashford explained what he struggled with about playing as a striker.
“When you are playing up front, sometimes you are isolated and need someone in midfield who can find passes for 90 minutes of a game, so you can disappear in games sometimes as a number nine.”
Even Ruben Amorim wasn’t fond of Rashford as a striker, telling The Standard as much, “That position is not the best one for him”, Amorim declared after his first game.
Over the course of his career, Rashford has proven to be a lot more dangerous on the left. With him starting as a number nine, not clearing him of any pressing responsibility, as in Michael Carrick’s system, the nine works hard.
At Barcelona and for England, Rashford has been working hard, potentially signalling a new version of himself. With Scholes also tipping Carrick to be the one to make Rashford work.
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