Marcus Rashford blasted for “wasteful” Manchester United performances

Marcus Rashford has been criticised for his recent Manchester United performances with Erik ten Hag’s squad struggling for Premier League goals so far this season.

Manchester United‘s Premier League campaign so far has seen Erik ten Hag‘s squad struggle for goals, with the squad scoring just one in their opening two league fixtures.

After Raphaël Varane nodded in a winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Wolves, a 2-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur served as a reality check for the Reds.

Read More: When Rasmus Hojlund could make Manchester United debut after injury emerged

With new signing Rasmus Højlund injured, Marcus Rashford has been the man who has been the front man in the forward line but has only registered two shots on target across both fixtures.

Former United player Paul Parker believes that Rashford is instead being wasteful with the ball, often giving away possession “cheaply”.

“Wide players should be looking at 10-plus goals. Especially someone that’s done what he did last season,” Parker said of the forward who scored 30 goals last campaign, to InsideSport.

“With Marcus Rashford, he can score goals, but people that watch people without rose-tinted glasses know he doesn’t do enough when he’s got the ball. He gives it away cheaply.

“Tries to go into the cul de sac with so many parked cars in it. And when he loses the ball he does one or two things. He falls down and holds any part of his body or he just walks back.

“I just want people to watch the game and see. I’m surprised the manager hasn’t said anything. It’s the modern footballer now. Not one of his teammates has pointed the finger at him and questioned him when he loses the ball.

“That’s when you need your captain to speak to him when he’s ambling back. If you give Marcus Rashford the ball, he may create something 1/10 times. I could have said 20. I didn’t see a successful dribble from Rashford against Wolves.”

Despite these comments, it may be wiser to give Marcus Rashford some time and let the full squad settle around him before jumping to conclusions.

Previous seasons have shown that Rashford generally performs best when he is operating on the left wing rather than as a central striker, and once Højlund is able to join the squad and start playing football at Old Trafford, Rashford’s performances and output will almost certainly increase.