Marcus Rashford is among the worst players without the ball, according to former Manchester United goalscorer Mark Hughes.
England star Rashford has copped plenty of criticism in recent weeks for his perceived lack of defensive effort. He was accused of particular disinterest in last weekend’s defeat away to Newcastle and Hughes, who scored 163 goals for United across two spells, believes Rashford’s attacking abilities are being diminished by his absence of defensive diligence.
“I don’t think the players go out with the intention of not trying, that doesn’t happen, but I think Rashford has slipped back into the mindset that he had prior to last season – he doesn’t look happy,” Hughes said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“He obviously had a lot going on outside the game which maybe took something away from him, and perhaps he just needs to focus back solely on what his role is when he’s asked to put on the shirt for Man United.
“I don’t think the players go out with the intention of not trying, that doesn’t happen, but I think Rashford has slipped back into the mindset that he had prior to last season – he doesn’t look happy,” Hughes said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“He obviously had a lot going on outside the game which maybe took something away from him, and perhaps he just needs to focus back solely on what his role is when he’s asked to put on the shirt for Man United.
“I look at United and think a lot of their problems stem from the wide areas. When the ball goes past them, their response is just not good enough.
“The lads need to track back and if they lose possession, they have to regain it as quick as they can.”
And Hughes said Rashford should only look across Manchester at how committed City’s attackers are to appreciate how committed forward players must be to doing the dirty work.
“If you compare them to how Man City react when they lose the ball, it’s chalk and cheese,” he added. “If Phil Foden loses the ball on the right hand-side, he wins it back, same with Jack Grealish.
“Rashford is an outstanding talent and is one of the best in the league when it comes to taking someone on, but without the ball, he’s probably one of the worst. He’s got to sort that part out.”
Rashford has scored just twice in 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season and he was only named on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday afternoon’s game at home to Bournemouth.
