This has been a question on the lips of each and every Manchester United supporter over the last year or so; ‘How to solve a problem like Marcus Rashford?‘
How does Ruben Amorim recapture the magic of a footballer who, as recently as 2023, became the first Manchester United player in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era to score over 30 goals in a single season?
Well, a lot of lessons can be learned from that oh-so impressive campaign, as well as Marcus Rashford’s difficult second year under the guidance of Erik ten Hag.
And while the Dutchman will cop plenty of blame himself for Rashford’s alarming dip over the last 12 months, was the issue one of personnel as well as form and tactics? It is no coincidence, certainly, that some of Rashford’s best displays in a difficult 2023/24 campaign arrived on the rare occasions in which Luke Shaw was fit and firing.
Take that 4-3 win at Wolves, for instance. Look at the way Rashford – having already opened the scoring with a sublime curling shot – combined with Shaw to set up Rasmus Hojlund to double Manchester United’s lead.
With Shaw providing a constant overlapping presence, that would frequently leave Rashford in a two-v-one situation, taking away the opposition full-back and creating space for a shot or a through ball around the side.
But with Shaw barely featuring these days – and as Tyrell Malacia builds up his fitness but awaits his return to league action – Rashford could often be seen stuck on the touchline, lacking support, and easily marked out of the game due to the lack of runners around him.
Ruben Amorim’s transfer plan can only help Marcus Rashford at Manchester United
While Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have done as best as can be expected filling in on the left, their right-footedness means both players tend to drift infield rather than hold their width.
Thus, further clogging up the centre of the park and denying Rashford the space he requires. The sort of space Shaw’s movement would often provide.
The good news, at least, is that this is a problem which feels imminently solvable.
Bring in a genuine left-footed, left-back – or wing-back, as is likely to be the case given Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system – and could Man United suddenly find themselves with boasting a Rashford at the top of his game once again?
As Fabrizio Romano explains, a left-sided left-back is Man United’s ‘priority’ heading into 2025.
Bayern Munich contract rebel Alphonso Davies is an option – his searing pace and relentless running would potentially make him the ideal foil for a player of Rashford’s skillset – while Rayan Ait-Nouri, Antonee Robinson or Milos Kerkez could also perform those duties pretty effectively too.
“For Alphonso Davies, there are several possibilities. Manchester United keep monitoring this player,” Romano explains.
“Now there is a new coach, and the new coach is Ruben Amorim. But, for Man United, left-back is a priority position. So Man United want to cover that position.
“This summer, they decided to go with Noussair Mazraoui because they believed that Mazraoui could cover the two positions; right and left-back.
“But in 2025, Man United want to sign an important left-back to also play in a different kind of position for Ruben Amorim. He wants a top left-footed player in that position.”
Better days ahead for Marcus Rashford under Ruben Amorim
Rashford is likely to have a different role under Amorim. The former Sporting boss prefers his front three to play a little narrower than Ten Hag’s tended to, with the wing-backs stretching the pitch and opening up spaces in the middle.
That, in itself, should suit a footballer who’s finest attributes include running with the ball and striking it from both feet in and around the penalty area.
“A player like Marcus Rashford, I’m curious also to see,” Portuguese reporter Sergio Krithinas tells The Transfers Podcast.
“Rashford can be a very vertical player. If Amorim gets into his mind, he could be a player that could develop or restart his career.”
A shift towards a less touchline-hugging role should bring about immediate improvements in Rashford’s form. The addition of a bonafide, genuine left-back – be it Davies, Ait-Nouri, Robinson or another – will represent another step towards rediscovering the golden touch of old.
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