Paul Ince feels Marcus Rashford deserves another crack at the whip against Aston Villa following his underwhelming performance for Manchester United in their FA Cup clash last night.
Speaking to the United Stand, Ince urged Ralf Rangnick not to chop Rashford from the starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League encounter at Villa Park.
The England international started the FA Cup contest with Villa at Old Trafford last night but failed to stamp his authority on the occasion.
He was pretty wasteful in possession and rarely troubled Steven Gerrard’s defence. Twice the ball fell in promising positions for the forward to pounce in the area. However, his desire to punish Villa left a lot to be desired.
Although United won the game 1-0, the general feeling around the ground was one of disgruntlement. A lot of that anguish headed in Rashford’s direction, who looked as dissatisfied by the display as many inside the Theatre of Dreams.
What’s riling Rashford?
Something hasn’t been right with the 24-year-old since he underwent shoulder surgery in the summer. His levels have clearly dropped, along with his apparent mood.
Yet, despite the attacker’s poor form, Ince said it would be unwise to remove him from the spotlight right now.
“When you look at Rashford, he doesn’t look happy. I’m thinking: ‘why is he not happy?’” the former Red Devils midfielder said.
But Ince thinks Rangnick should stick with the England star. He said: “I wouldn’t drop Rashford for Saturday. If that was me, I’d say: ‘Marcus, where do you want to play? Number ten? Left-hand side? Are you not getting enough of the ball? Are you not making the right decisions when you get it? How do you feel?’
“But to drop him could impact him more than playing him. It’s not just (Rashford), looking at that (United) performance last night, it’s just not him.”
Vindication versus Villa
Some players feed off confidence and regain their rhythm with a run in the side. Rashford seems to fit into that bracket.
He hasn’t scored in the league since October, so a goal would be a good place to reignite the fire in his belly.
A better all-round team showing from United should also do the number ten a world of good. Once those pieces fit together, surely the real Rashford will return?
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