Krishnan Sreekumar
Ralf Rangnick challenges striker Marcus Rashford to start reproducing his training ground form in matches
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur clash at Old Trafford (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick urged striker Marcus Rashford to replicate his form in the training ground in matches to find his form once again.
Rashford has been woefully out of form this season, looking short of confidence as he seems to have misplaced his goalscoring boots. The England international has not had the best season this time around, falling down the pecking order in the attack.
Rangnick said that the Englishman needs to play at the same level in games as when he trains, when asked about how Rashford could get back to form and reach the potential everyone expects from him.
“To play in the same level he trains. We spoke about that week two weeks ago.”
Last weekend against Manchester City, the striker found himself relegated to the bench despite first-choice attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani missing out due to injury. Bruno Fernandes led the line for the team in a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
“Abundance of talent”
Rashford came off the bench in the Manchester derby in the second half, but could not contribute positively in attack as he once again seemed out of touch and was unimpressive when the team needed him.
United’s interim manager defended his forward, saying that the 24-year-old has everything you need for a striker and that the player was training well. The German said that it was only a matter of transforming his training levels into games.
“Marcus is training well, he’s got an abundance of talent, everything you need for a striker. It’s about transforming the training sessions into the games.”
Rashford has not been the frontman for United this term, with the squad boasting of world-class names like Ronaldo and Cavani. However, they are both over 35 and have been out of form as well, which makes one sympathise with the Carrington product’s situation at the club.
Even if not as a striker, Rashford has enjoyed a productive time at his boyhood club playing out wide on the flanks. This too has gone against the player this term, given Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga’s resurgence in the team. The pair look to have nailed down the positions for themselves, pushing Rashford further down the pecking order under Rangnick.
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His limited game this term prompted the former academy star to pursue opportunities outside the club, which has shocked fans. The prospect of Rashford leaving Manchester was never in the plan, but his recent situation has prompted this news.
Our next game is against Tottenham, and Rashford was one amongst the United forwards on the scoresheet vs Spurs last time around. Hopefully, we see him take to the field against the Lilywhites and score once again to hand us a win as well as boost his confidence as he works to regain his form.
