Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been urged to stick with “confidence-player” Marcus Rashford, despite the England star being in “dire form” for his club.
That is according to footballer-turned-pundit Stan Collymore, who claimed that Rashford’s “head is very much down” in the early stages of the season for United.
Rashford has faced mounting pressure over his current form, with the United star scoring once and registering an assist in seven Premier League starts this season.
The 25-year-old forward was in the form of his life last season after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was a key influence in Ten Hag’s attacking line-up for United.
Ten Hag has faced calls to drop Rashford due to his current form, but the United boss has backed his player and admitted the footballer “knows he can do better.”
READ MORE: Pundit criticises Manchester United star for ‘not working hard’ and thinking he is ‘big time’
Collymore on ‘misfiring’ Rashford
Rashford inked a new long-term deal at United in the summer, but the England international now faces a tough test in rediscovering his best form this season.
Collymore believes that the United forward has at least “another two or three” matches to prove himself before Ten Hag has to make the call to drop him.
“He’s a couple of weeks away from turning 26 years old; he’s no spring chicken and it’s very unlikely that his game is going to dramatically change — he is what he is,” he said in his CaughtOffside column.
“So if I were in charge of Manchester United’s technical performance analysis, I would be advising Erik ten Hag to stick with him for so long, probably another two or three more games, and if he continues to misfire, drop him.”
Rashford can turn this around
Ten Hag hasn’t been afraid to take swift action against players who no longer fit in his plans or step out of line, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
But the ex-Ajax boss rates Rashford highly and the Three Lions star’s form is of vital importance for Ten Hag, especially with United’s mixed set of results this season.
Rashford will know all too well that he needs to step up his performances, especially due to the increasing competition over winger spots at United.
Despite Sancho’s exclusion from the first team, Antony has returned for United and Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri are fighting for places in the starting XI.
Collymore also believes that Ten Hag should consider signing a new left-sided winger in a bid to add more competition to Rashford’s preferred position.
“I would certainly be looking at a new left-sided winger in the summer though, and I would want a player to come in and look at Rashford and say ‘I am taking your spot and you’re never going to play for this club again. I’m the main man now,” he said.
“Because I think it could be really easy to discourage and overwhelm Rashford and effectively end his Old Trafford career.
“He’s far too nice. If he stopped playing now, would he be considered a United legend? Absolutely not.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
