Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick can show the Man Utd exile the tough love that will bring the very best out of a player who has yet to unlock his full potential
Marcus Rashford in his Barcelona kit
Marcus Rashford featured in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Girona on Saturday
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Marcus Rashford has come in for a bit of stick for suggesting his long spells of mediocre form in recent times have, in part, been down to an ‘inconsistent environment’. Neither Roy Keane nor Wayne Rooney were particularly savage in their responses to that suggestion but both came up with mildly stinging rebukes for Rashford.
“He was part of the problem with the environment,” said Keane. Rooney had a similar script, saying: “I think the environment has not been right but that is down to yourself.”
Considering there has been the odd situation in which Rashford’s behaviour away from the pitch has been questioned, Rooney and Keane might well have a point. But any idea Rashford has behaved like some sort of serial wrong ‘un over the last couple of years is way, way off the mark.
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A couple of misjudgements? Yes. But anything serious? No. And if Rashford was referring to managerial churn when he spoke about an ‘inconsistent environment’, then he has a point.
Since Rashford made his Manchester United debut in 2016, there have been - including interim and caretaker bosses - eight managers. Systems, methods, personnel have all changed frequently during Rashford’s professional career at Old Trafford.
Of course, that is no excuse for some of the ineffective - and quite lengthy - periods of football Rashford has produced for United. But it must have had an impact.
The underlying reasons for Rashford wanting to get out of Old Trafford still might have to be addressed as the 27-year-old attacker has a United contract that runs until the summer of 2028. And, of course, the managerial situation might keep on churning.
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, interacts with Marcus Rashford of England as he is substituted
Thomas Tuchel believes Marcus Rashford can be something special if he puts in the hard yards
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But this season with Barcelona is now the most important of Rashford’s career. By all accounts, Barca manager Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel are not close friends but do have a very respectful working relationship.
Between them, they could yet make Rashford the world-beating player we all know he can be.
Flick has already fired one warning shot across the loanee’s bows, leaving him out of the starting line-up against Getafe after Rashford had been late for training. And in a different way, Flick’s compatriot has done the same.
During the last international break, Tuchel spoke about Rashford having the capability to be “one of the best in the world”, adding there are “no limits” for him. He spoke about him being “explosive”, about him being “fast”, about him being “strong in the air”.
But this is the same Tuchel who has preferred Anthony Gordon to Rashford in the last three of his England starting line-ups. Tuchel talks about Rashford’s “numbers” not being good enough but Gordon’s numbers are not exactly mind-blowing.
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 31: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona interacts with Head Coach Hansi Flick prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Vallecas on August 31, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Hansi Flick sanctioned Marcus Rashford being later for training but says he has full faith in the England attacker
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But my guess is that Tuchel likes what he sees from the Newcastle winger in training, where Gordon badgers Harry Kane for advice, where he asks goalkeepers to hang around so he can practise his finishing. My guess is that how players commit themselves to even the most routine of training sessions counts for a lot in Tuchel’s book.
Now, there is no suggestion Rashford has not applied himself with anything other than 100 percent commitment in England training. No suggestion whatsoever.
But 100 percent for Tuchel and 100 percent for Flick is all that will do for Rashford if he is to re-invent himself as a world-beater for club and country. Those two guys will stand for nothing less. Let’s hope Marcus gives them exactly that.