Ridiculous Paul Parker Marcus Rashford comments show Manchester United forward can’t please everyone

Marcus Rashford is a man on fire right now, having scored his 13th goal of the season on Friday evening against Everton.

His performance against Everton was yet another in a string of top quality displays, with Rashford collecting a goal and assist as well as creating Connor Cody’s own goal in a 3-1 victory, sending Manchester United into the FA Cup fourth round.

Rashford has now scored for five fixtures in a row, with Friday’s victory making it seven wins in seven at Old Trafford.

Read More: Five things learned as Manchester United extend their winning form with a 3-1 against Everton in FA Cup

However, despite his brilliant form, one man who cannot get on his side is former Manchester United defender Paul Parker.

Speaking last Monday ahead of Manchester United’s eventual victory against Bournemouth earlier this week, Paul Parker said that although Ten Hag is right to say Rashford has the potential to score lots of goals for United, he does not make his teammates better.

“I´m not the biggest fan of Rashford but I think that Erik ten Hag is right,” Parker told BonusCodeBets. “He has the potential to score a lot of goals in the Premier League.

“But goals cover over cracks and I’m tired of modern football in many ways. People are only looking at stats which are totally wrong. Rashford can be a goal threat because he runs behind and finishes properly unless he has too much time on the ball.”

Read More: Marcus Rashford provides verdict on goalscoring form and Man United’s FA Cup progression after 3-1 win vs Everton

Parker is not entirely wrong – Rashford has a history of occasionally bottling a chance because he has too long to think about it. However, this season that has not been the case; Rashford has shown clear improvement in his rational decision making, which has improved his overall game.

“But he is not making his teammates better,” claimed Parker. “He doesn’t beat people or create chances and that’s what my point is. On paper, he can score 20 goals in one season, but that is not necessarily the most important thing.”

The idea that Marcus Rashford does not make his teammates better is a ridiculous one. In the same way that Lisandro Martinez’s infectious energy help invigorate the back line, Rashford has shown this season his willingness to press, track back and cover for his teammates, inspiring everyone to work harder.

Beyond this, Rashford’s runs have, on multiple occasions, dragged defenders out wide allowing players such as Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial freedom and time to move in the centre, as well as offering out-balls for the likes of Martinez, Shaw, and Casemiro to progress play and gain territory.

Erik ten Hag himself has been full of praise for Rashford, telling MUTV on Friday evening: “He has the skills, I am supporting him, I am motivating him, that is clear. I think I put him on the right position on the pitch, but to be fair he can play across the whole front line.”

Ten Hag also went on to describe the Englishman as a “tactical weapon” as he “is scoring from every position.”

“If he keeps this focus, I am convinced he will score even more goals,” Ten Hag said. “If he keeps investing in training, investing in the games, I’m sure (of it) – I’m convinced.”