Manchester United thrashed Leicester City 3-0 in their Premier League game at Old Trafford on Sunday to end Ruud van Nistelrooy’s temporary reign on a high.
The interim manager has done a fine job, going four matches unbeaten while also sparking a return to form for several big-name stars.
On the right, Amad Diallo carried on in the same vein following his midweek heroics while on the opposite flank, Marcus Rashford cut an anonymous figure.
His decision-making was quite poor and he was rightly subbed off with Alejandro Garnacho replacing him. The Argentine ended up scoring a screamer.
Rashford’s form yet to pick up
The Mancunian only has four goals this season, and has not scored in the league since mid-September. And incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will offer him a shot at redemption but will not tolerate poor displays for too long.
It is imperative that the Englishman starts performing on the pitch and he has been given an incentive by incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel according to The Sun.
The German, a big fan of the United academy graduate, has made it clear that he expects a lot from the 27-year-old and provided he starts firing for his club, a national team recall is on the cards.
“NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel has handed Marcus Rashford an olive branch. The German told the Manchester United forward that he wants him in his Three Lions squad — as long as he keeps his form up.
A source told the publication, “Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad. He said he believed a big part of England’s failure to win Euro 2024 was not having Marcus as an option.
“Other teams fear his abilities and Tuchel said he believed without Rashford, England didn’t offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came down the right.
“Tuchel is a huge admirer of Marcus. It’s a great boost for him and another encouragement to try and get back to his best.”
Last season’s poor on-field displays and off-field controversies meant Rashford was not included in the Euro 2024 squad by Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel offers Rashy an olive branch
But with Tuchel, he has a chance to start afresh and his best chance at earning a call-up could come if he starts performing for Amorim. The German has given Rashford a huge reason to try and turn his career around.
But Rashford does not look like a player who is close to hitting top gear at the moment, with the England international looking disinterested most of the time.
At his age, inconsistency should not be a factor but the Manchester-born star usually has a great season followed by a lull period, the story of his United senior career so far.
INEOS are reportedly open to a sale should he fail to impress under the Portuguese tactician but it must be remembered that Rashford’s best form usually comes under a new manager, as seen during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time and in Ten Hag’s first season.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
