Despite his obvious talent, Marcus Rashford and his form has been incredibly inconsistent for Manchester United. His performances can range from exceptional to subpar, often within a few weeks. A closer look at his stats reveals more about his performance but with the wage he commands now, is he really the “guy” for Man Utd?
Attacking Performance
Rashford’s attacking performance is where he stands out the most. His pace and directness make him a constant threat to opposition defenders. His ability to dribble past opponents and create scoring opportunities is one of his standout traits.
Yet, his finishing ability can let him down. Although he is capable of scoring spectacular goals, his inconsistency in front of the goal has been a point of criticism. During the 2023/2024 season, for instance, Rashford had a mixed run of form, with some matches where he scored crucial goals and others where he struggled to make an impact.
Marcus Rashford was being called the best player in the world in February and fast forward 6 months, since Manchester United’s 7-0 thumping at Anfield, the stats do not look good for Rashford. In that period he has played 16 Premier League games, for a return of 4 goals, from 60 shots at goal with only 18 on target.
Is this something you would say is acceptable for the star of a team? Don’t get me wrong, on the ball he is dangerous but if that’s only 20% of the time, is it worth it?
Marcus Rashford Defensive Contribution
When it comes to Rashford’s defensive contribution, it is fair to say that it is not his strongest attribute. His lack of defensive discipline has often been pointed out as a weakness in his game. However, it should be noted that as an attacking player, his primary role is to score and create goals, not to defend.
Nevertheless, in the modern game where forwards are expected to contribute defensively, Rashford’s lack of defensive contribution can sometimes be a liability for his team. Further to this point, he is often picked out for his non existent press by his own fans, here he is during the game against Bayern mid week.
Marcus Rashford Pressing Stats
You can see below, that he actually sits behind Martial for pressing, a player often labelled lazy by United fans.
Marcus Rashford Rating & Potential
Future Prospects For Marcus Rashford
Despite the ups and downs in his form, Marcus Rashford remains a key player for Manchester United and England. At just 25-years-old, he has plenty of time to improve and reach his full potential.
To do so, he will need to work on his consistency, particularly in front of goal. Improving his decision-making and contributing more defensively will be the telling factor to see if he is just another good player or an all time great.
Updates
1-0 Loss Vs Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
- 0 Goals
- 0 Assists
- 3/10 Rating
Match Highlights
We will continue to update with every performance this season.
