Lee Sharpe says only Marcus Rashford can turn around his form at Manchester United after a disappointing campaign with the club.
Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season to win Manchester United’s Player of the Season award but has struggled to replicate that level this time around.
The 26-year-old has only eight goals for the campaign and has been criticised for a number of ineffective performances.
Rashford’s place in the England squad for Euro 2024 is at risk as we reach the Premier League run-in and former Manchester United winger Sharpe has said it’s on the player to turn his fortunes around.
He said a lack of effort from Rashford has been ‘a little bit criminal’ this season, but labelled the forward ‘one of the best players in the Premier League’ when at his best.
“I think Marcus Rashford is one of the biggest talents at the club and on his day one of the best players in the Premier League, if not Europe. His ability speaks for itself,” Sharpe exclusively told The Football Faithful, at an event hosted by sports betting side BetVictor.
“For some reason this year he doesn’t seem to be putting the effort in as much and that’s when people get upset. You can have bad games when you try hard, but when you’re jogging around and not putting the effort in, that’s when people get upset. You need your big players to stand out. He’s not a young lad anymore, he’s an experienced player.
“He signed a new contract and you expect him to perform and to see him at half-pace and just jogging around, it’s a little bit criminal. To get the best out of Marcus Rashford, I think that’s only Marcus Rashford that can do that. I don’t know what’s going on with him off the pitch or personally, if he’s struggling with the game or struggling with things at home. There’s a distraction because he looks a total opposite player to the season before.
“He was quick, electric, scoring goals, and a danger in every game he played. Now he looks thoughtful, he’s thinking about things too much, and not playing naturally. He looks like he’s got something on his mind. He’s a top player, but I don’t know if he wants a move or there’s something else going on, or if his heart is still at the club.”
