Juan Mata still wants Marcus Rashford to succeed at Manchester United
Manchester United’s present is fraught with awkward silences and questions that no one wants to answer head-on. Old Trafford buzzes with memories of past victories, but the present demands clear decisions that will define the immediate future. Some names are held up out of nostalgia, others have exhausted their credit with the fans. Among them, Marcus Rashford has become a figure who holds no place at Old Trafford any more.
The talent that once made the stands dream now seems stuck between inconsistent performances, rumours of a departure and a lack of spark that is worrying even the most loyal fans. Those close to the club know that not everyone can stay forever. Football demands results, and Rashford is no longer convincing. Meanwhile, the board is assessing whether the best outcome for all parties is a farewell without hard feelings or recriminations.
This week, Juan Mata broke the silence with some words reported by The Athletic that have sparked a heated debate. According to Mata, there is still a slight chance that Rashford could regain his best form if he decides to stay. The Spaniard made it clear that as a United fan and friend of Marcus, he wants to see him succeed at the club that saw him grow up. However, he hinted that it all depends on the Englishman’s happiness and whether he can enjoy himself on the pitch again.
Juan Mata saw Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene at Old Trafford for manchester United
If the 27-year-old manages to feel fulfilled again, everyone will win: him, the squad and Old Trafford. Mata did not guarantee anything, nor did he promise miracles; he simply reminded us that sometimes football gives second chances to those who dare to reinvent themselves. Mata’s message, halfway between hope and resignation, reflects the crossroads the club find themselves at with a prodigal son who has no clear direction.
“As a Man United fan and as a friend of Marcus, I wish that he can succeed here because it’s his club, his boyhood club. I don’t know what’s going to happen but if he stays and he can actually be happy and enjoy, I think it will be a win-win situation for both the club and him.”
But reality no longer offers time for more promises. We maintain that Rashford needs to leave. The club cannot mortgage itheir present for a past version that will not return. The Premier League demands consistency, hunger and ambition. Today, Rashford does not convey any of those feelings. The stands no longer see him as a saviour, the squad seems tired of waiting for him, and his opponents mark him with an ease that did not exist before.
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For Rashford, it would be liberating to seek new horizons, to truly challenge himself, to leave behind the comfort zone that is suffocating him at Old Trafford. Leaving does not make him a traitor, but rather someone brave enough to recognise when it is time to end a cycle. And for United, letting him go would open the door to a signing that would revitalise the wing and bring electricity back to the attack. Keeping him by force would be a mistake that would hurt everyone. Sometimes a sincere goodbye heals wounds that would otherwise continue to fester. That’s why we believe his departure is the only dignified route for both parties. He continues to be linked with many clubs, including Tottenham.