Without any doubt, Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is one of the most talented young English players to break through at a big Premier League club for a long time.
The British media hype some players up. However, Rashford has actually shown he has ability and can perform at the highest level. Some of his most memorable goals have been against Manchester City and Arsenal.
The lad has talent. However, suddenly he finds himself back on the substitute’s bench at United.
Not getting much game time at United
At 20, Rashford is a young player and cannot afford to spend a bit of time on the substitute’s bench. Most players of his age are not regular starters at big clubs in big leagues.
However, Rashford has become accustomed to playing on a regular basis for the Red Devils in the Premier League. The picture has been a very different one for the youngster in recent months, as his last top-flight start was on Boxing Day against Burnley.
The arrival of Chilean star Alexis Sanchez in January from Arsenal has really not helped his chances of first-team football. Since Sanchez’s arrival, the young forward has played just 19 minutes in the Premier League.
Granted the youngster has missed the last few top-flight games through injury. However, it still seems a concerning situation for the forward.
Needs game for his development
Rashford needs games to develop his undoubted talent. Playing games at this stage of his career could mean the difference between making it as a top player or not. When United had a dearth of attacking players, he was getting his chance.
Now though, Rashford is behind undisputed first-choice striker Romelu Lukaku when it comes to the central striker role at United. He will also have Zlatan Ibrahimovic to contend with when the Swede returns to full fitness.
Rashford has often been shoehorned out to the wings because he has the pace and work ethic to play as a wide forward. He is a willing worker and will do a job in the position without any complaint, but his preferred position is up front.
With Alexis Sanchez also a central striking option for boss Jose Mourinho, Rashford’s chances of first-team football look slightly bleak at the minute. Lukaku has just started his United career, so it seems that the Belgian striker is not going anywhere in the near future.
There could come a time in Rashford’s near future that he may have to consider a move elsewhere to fulfil his potential get regular first-team football. I doubt that will be in his mind at the moment, but it could be in the future.
There would be a big queue of clubs willing to sign the forward and likely for big money if he did become available in the near future.
England needs Marcus Rashford
Like at club level, Marcus Rashford is not first choice striker at international with England either. However, England do not many attacking options. Obviously, Tottenham’s Harry Kane is first choice striker, but beyond the Spurs man, there is a lack of quality.
Rashford is 1/8 to make England’s 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup. Those odds virtually say that the youngster is a certainty for the squad, barring any injury problems of course.
The forward is a very useful asset for England boss Gareth Southgate to have at his disposal. However, Rashford will be no good to England if he has spent much of the second half of the Premier League campaign on the substitute’s bench.
Marcus Rashford will no doubt still have a part to play for Manchester United this season. Hopefully, he will manage to play for his and for England’s sake.
