Marcus Rashford got his dream move in the summer transfer window to Barcelona, but he clearly still harbours some regrets over his stay in Manchester.
As an academy product and a beacon of hope for the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford never looked like he was ready to regularly shoulder that burden.
It’s why he has looked freed every time he has left Old Trafford, and Barcelona are the beneficiaries of his form this time.
Rashford has now indirectly blamed Manchester United for the biggest flaw in his game, which, coincidentally, could hurt his chances of securing a permanent move to Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United takes part ind the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 training and press conference at the Carrington Training complex on January 29, 2025
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Rashford has all the talent and tools to thrive as a world-class player at the top of his game, but there’s one major thing that has held him back.
Spanish media recently said he needs to keep up this level of form for the whole season to convince Barcelona to make his move permanent.
Therein lies the biggest flaw in his game, which is a lack of consistency.
Rashford has been a player who blows hot and cold, regularly following up frustrating seasons with world-class ones, and vice versa.
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That was United’s frustration with him, but, as it turns out, the feeling is mutual.
Speaking to ITV Football, Rashford acknowledged he hasn’t been consistent enough, but not before saying that it’s difficult to be consistent in an ‘inconsistent footballing environment’.
He said: “Consistency is a massive part of it, but I feel like I’ve been in an inconsistent environment for a very, very long time.
“So it’s even more difficult to be consistent. I need to bring that into my game and now I’m looking to do that. In order to be consistent, you need consistent variables in your life.
“We’ve just had so many changes so far in my career. Now I have to look forward. That’s one of the things that I want to put right. When I’m at my best, I enjoy everything about the sport.”
Rashford needs introspection
While it’s impossible to argue that United have not been a stable footballing environment for the last decade or so, Rashford shifting the blame changes it into a chicken-and-egg question.
TalkingPoints
Poll: Are Manchester United to blame for Marcus Rashford’s lack of consistency?
Have United been forced to be inconsistent because players and managers weren’t performing, thereby making a change necessary?
Or have United’s inconsistencies never allowed players and managers to thrive and feel confident?
Either way, shifting responsibility like this is not ideal from a professional point of view, when he could have easily taken accountability for his form.
The end at Old Trafford for Rashford got a bit ugly, but before that, he was one of the most backed players by every Man Utd manager he played under.
There were plenty of chances for redemption, but his effort just kept wandering, leading to him losing fan support.
That was the death knell for his United career, not the inconsistent footballing environment.