Marcus Rashford has been a key figure at Manchester United for a number of years, but his career has been dissected by a number of his former and current managers
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Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford with former Man United manager Jose Mourinho
(Image: PA)
Marcus Rashford's time at Manchester United has seen the homegrown talent evolve from a promising youngster to a key figure at Old Trafford.
From his early days under manager Louis van Gaal to his more recent struggles under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. Rashford's journey has been marked by moments of brilliance, challenge and disappointment.
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Having recently left Old Trafford to join Aston Villa on loan, where he has rediscovered his form, MEN Sport has taken a look at what his past and present managers have said about him.
Louis van Gaal
The Manchester-born striker made a scintillating start to his senior career, netting twice in a Europa League clash with FC Midtjylland and adding another two goals against Arsenal in the Premier League shortly after – a performance that drew immediate plaudits from Van Gaal.
Reacting to Rashford's impressive early displays, Van Gaal remarked: "Youngsters often play well in the first match. The second is different. Marcus played well in both so he is a special talent. His movement in the box was great, and he could be a very positive surprise for Manchester United."
Though Van Gaal's stint at United was relatively brief, his faith in Rashford set the stage for what would become an illustrious chapter for the forward with the Reds.
Jose Mourinho
During his time under Mourinho, Rashford's position became more multifaceted. Mourinho admired Rashford's talent but frequently experimented with him in various attacking positions - occasionally as a left winger, other times as a supporting striker.
Rashford was urged by Mourinho to refine his overall game, including his defensive responsibilities, as part of his development. In a conversation with Univision, a Spanish-language television network in the United States, he made the assertion that Rashford, along with teammates Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, and Luke Shaw, were immature.
He said: "When I say that, I mean maturity at a personal level. We are more men, we are more mature, we were more prepared to face life. We were less protected. In England, they call it 'spoilt'.
"I think kids these days have a different social life than us, and players have around them an entourage, and I mean a personal entourage, the people that surround them, that protect them more, give them more affection, more excuses. They reach maturity more slowly."
Rashford didn't always respond well to Mourinho's methods, and there were times when he felt frustrated. Nevertheless, the winger developed a deeper understanding of the game tactically and a stronger work ethic, both of which would benefit him in the years to come.
His standout performance under Mourinho came in 2018 during a 2-1 triumph against Liverpool, where he scored both goals. Despite some occasional friction, a year after his exit as United manager, Mourinho acknowledged Rashford's immense potential.
"For me, the point is not his age. The point is his qualities, and for me he is potentially a very good player. He's a very good player in some models of play, he's a very good player in some positions," the Portuguese boss said.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's management, Rashford experienced arguably the most productive period of his career. He excelled as a left-sided forward, playing with freedom and confidence.
During the 2019-2020 season, he scored 22 goals across all competitions, marking his best return at the time. Solskjaer, a former striker himself, was a huge admirer of Rashford's abilities, frequently drawing comparisons with England's elite forwards and believing he could reach the very top.
"He can become a top, top one. We can talk about Harry Kane and his class, and I'm sure Marcus has got the potential to get up there," Solskjaer said in 2019. Rashford's standout moment under the Norwegian came in a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in 2019, where he scored the decisive penalty.
However, injuries and fatigue took their toll, with Solskjaer often playing Rashford even when he was not fully fit, which may have contributed to his later struggles.
Erik ten Hag
Rashford enjoyed a resurgence under Erik ten Hag, particularly in the 2022-23 season, when he netted 30 goals in all competitions. However, the Dutch manager was keen to emphasise the importance of discipline within the squad.
At the time, Ten Hag was vocal about his expectations, stating: "Everyone has to meet standards and the rules. We have to be consistent. That is also what I expect on the pitch, otherwise we can't be successful."
When Rashford was dropped from the starting XI for being late to a team meeting, Ten Hag explained: "I think he gave the right answer. After the decision, he came in and was bright, he was lively, he scored a goal. It was the right reaction. Everyone has to follow rules and values."
Ruben Amorim
In contrast, Amorim took a more critical approach to Rashford's role within the team. Amorim highlighted his potential but also emphasised the need for improvement, stating: "Imagine a talent like Rashford, our team should be so much better with him, but he has to change.
T"he reason is the training. If things don't change, I will not change. I would rather pick our 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, than Marcus Rashford."
Unai Emery
Since joining Villa, Unai Emery has been instrumental in Rashford's resurgence, with the forward already tallying three assists and on the verge of opening his goal-scoring account. After a spell of uncertainty at Old Trafford, Rashford appears to be rediscovering his form under Emery's guidance.
Emery has not only been a proponent of Rashford's talent but has also been central to his transfer to Villa. Despite the initial success, the Villa manager is keen on ensuring Rashford's consistent performance and further development.
"We want to support him. Help him. Try to help him to feel comfortable here. Try to help him get confidence with us, try to be demanding with him. He is in this process," Emery remarked.
When quizzed by Sky Sports on how Villa is unlocking Rashford's potential, Emery explained: "Trying to get him to work and play like us. Trying to use the skill he has with the tactical side."