Despite Manchester United having a difficult season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer where they currently sit ninth in the Premier League, there has been a shining light in the form of Marcus Rashford. The England striker has found the back of the net on ten occasions in all competitions this season and has double the number of goals that Anthony Martial has amassed.
Solskjaer proved his faith in the 22-year-old after he got rid of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window without bringing in a replacement. But are Manchester United holding their biggest talent, valued at £72m (Transfermarkt) back from realising his potential>
At first, it would appear not, considering the side is tactically set up in a manner which benefits his explosive pace as well as having a total of 11 combined goals and assists in the Premier League. When compared to his metrics in an England shirt they are incredibly similar, with six goals in 11 appearances for the Three Lions across the UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying. Though it is worth considering three of those goals came in a notoriously straightforward European Championship qualifying group.
However, this is only a snapshot into the season; one which he has continuously been troubled by injuries. Rashford is the future of the club as long as he remains at Old Trafford after coming up through their academy. But Solskjaer must take care with their prized asset to ensure he does not suffer a fate similar to that of Wayne Rooney where he is burned out by 30.
Time on the pitch is crucial for development and Rashford is getting plenty of that, but it is also important that he is getting the best advice off it from his manager. Consider if he was under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage, as Sergio Aguero experienced, would the highly skilled English striker be developing other areas of his game? Currently based on the counter-attacking style he has been used too it is difficult to see Rashford leading a press but with Mauricio Pochettino the favourite to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, we could soon find out.
