Rashford was the first to go up on Old Trafford's poster in the summer.
The Marcus Rashford debate has started again, so it's Groundhog Day... again.
There is invariably a discussion about whether Manchester United should sell Rashford each season and sometimes the debate can crop up in different months across a campaign.
Should he be sold? Is Rashford performing well enough? What jacket is he wearing in his free time? Can any club match his current wages? The same questions are asked each time.
The narrative around Rashford is a bit tiring. The obvious irony is this article is about that exact narrative, but a report from The Telegraph emerged on Tuesday that claimed United would be open to selling Rashford, which sparked the latest volume of 'The Marcus Rashford Debate™'.
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Although Rashford and his camp may feel endless headlines on his future are not helpful to his displays, he has often been solely responsible for making the back pages of newspapers.
The Dublin boozing debacle last season was incredibly disappointing and there have been other examples of Rashford's questionable behaviour away from the pitch that raise red flags.
Gary Neville recently criticised Rashford's trip to America during the November international break and that was unjustified, though. Rashford can enjoy his leisure time and Ruben Amorim defended him and Casemiro, who had also visited the States, when he was asked about it.
Amorim explained: “The first thing is it was five days off. The second thing is they received information of ‘five days off’ and they are big boys, they have kids so they decide what to do.
“The main question here is the club have to set the standard and manage that. They receive the information ‘five days off’, do what you like’. We as a club have to set better standards and we will try to do that. It’s my decision if they can have five days as a coach, or three days.
“But you cannot put this on the players. They told them they have five days off so they can fly anywhere. Nobody in the club said they cannot fly. They have to live their lives because they are grown men and they have to decide these things. Us as a club have to change in these standards.”
Rashford scored twice against Everton. (Image: Getty Images)
Shortly after that interview, Amorim challenged Rashford to show that "he wanted it" and the 27-year-old responded by scoring twice in the comfortable 4-0 win against Everton.
Rashford's brace increased his goal tally to seven in all competitions for the season. He has also recorded three assists and is performing better than he did throughout 2023/24.
The problem is Rashford is still not operating at the levels that are expected and started on the bench against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. There have been plenty false dawns for Rashford during his time at Old Trafford and his brace against Everton felt like a mini false-dawn.
So where does Rashford go from here? Another ordinary season would suggest it's the correct decision to sell him in the summer but he still has an important role to play under Amorim.
Amorim said in his most recent press conference the perception of United can change in just a week and that could also happen to Rashford if he delivers in the next two games.
For example, if Rashford fires United to a victory against Manchester City at The Etihad, which is possible given the champions' form, the narrative will switch and he could kick on again.
There is a growing divide among fans regarding Rashford, who is the poster boy of the club. Some have urged supporters to get behind one of the most successful United academy graduates, while others have become sick of his inconsistency and believe a departure is the best option.
The next six months will probably decide Rashford's future - and it could go either way.