09 Aug 2026 13:01:29
Alternative view to all those who are panning Rashford before the season starts.
Maybe keep an open mind and see if he performs to the high level he is capable of without any of the past dramas.
If he does then we have a really good player on board and it means money can be spent in other areas. If not then he deserves the criticism that will follow but until then let's give him a second chance.
09 Aug 2026 13:37:40
The issue with Rashford always comes down to attitude. He knuckled down on his loans because he wanted a move. But Barca's reluctance to buy him suggests that he's not willing to accept a significantly lower wage.
I think he can be a good player off the bench or in games where we're playing on the counter.
That's how Barca used him. The question is if he'd be happy with that role here, or the impact having a squad player on massive wages would have on first-choice players.
09 Aug 2026 13:46:19
Absolutely, Danny. The issue is Rashford's attitude and application. I think too many overestimate his ability: without improvement he doesn't start for us. Cunha, Bruno, Mbeumo are all better players, and Rashford is poor in the No. 9 position. He's not a team player - he makes no decoy runs, doesn't get his head up to find teammates in better positions, etc. Those are all things the trio I mentioned do much better than him, and we're a more fluid attacking team as a result.
Rashford reintegrating carries with it, then, the danger of regression towards a more individual-based attack, which year on year has shown itself to be less and less potent. I saw little evidence in Rashford's time at Villa or at Barcelona that he has made any advancement in his game.
09 Aug 2026 14:05:54
Even without further acquisitions, we have Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad, Rashford, Dorgu, Sesko, perhaps Lacey, and, for the time being, Zirkzee to compete for 3 or 4 places. I don't think any of them are going to get 90 mins every game. But that's exactly what we want. A squad full of varied talents, deep enough to compete in 4 competitions, against very different types of opponents.
We could probably loan Rashford out, but it doesn't look like we can sell him at his wage level to anyone who could afford it. So, he'll cost us around £15k in wages. Even with his shortcomings, a player with his qualities would probably cost at least £40m + £150k in wages, which is about the same annual cost.
If he can't be sold, keeping him and reintegrating into the squad asap is the only sound option. It will be up to him to prove his value, which, again, is actually how it should be. It's a gamble, but the only way that the club gets value for him now, and Rashford reestablishes himself as the player he thinks he is, is to prove the doubters wrong. Carrick and the club are doing exactly as they should. We're not served well by Amorim-style public writing off of player assets.
09 Aug 2026 14:23:22
Salford, Rashford has already earned the criticism and scorn levelled at him. For me, his attitude toward the club, fans, and teammates stinks. I have no time for him anymore.
09 Aug 2026 14:38:26
No one has a clue about Rashford, what's going on, or how his teammates see him.
I thought it was a natural end when he went on loan and was good for all parties.
But if he comes back and contributes to the team, it will be great.
I like him as a person. He's scored a lot for us, and if he's back, hopefully he continues to score.
09 Aug 2026 15:55:25
Where does he stand in the pecking order? Should he be picked above Cunha or Dorgu? What has he done to earn that? And how would the other players feel about it? It isn't an easy decision for sure.
09 Aug 2026 16:29:05
Trololo, he's like everyone else. If he's in the squad, his performances will dictate that. What would the other players feel about it? Why would they feel anything about it?
09 Aug 2026 16:24:28
Hopefully Trololo, lower than a dachshund's bo**ocks.
09 Aug 2026 16:59:41
Attitude, attitude, attitude.
How will all those other players feel, after working hard at training and at games, when he was swanning around at a night club in Ireland, or those who had to work twice as hard because he was swanning around the pitch, not trying? How about all the players who heard him say he wanted to be somewhere else? How about what they think of what his performance was at Barca, where they wouldnt stump up £28m for him? How will they feel when he rocks up and gets the shirt, whilst they sit on the bench? How will they feel when they know he earns 3 times what they do, yet they were putting everything in to get third, whilst Rashford disrespected the club and the shirt?
How long before he becomes disillusioned and doesnt put 100% in, and how long before he disrespects the shirt again? He clearly doesnt want to be there, and thats fine.
Take the pay cut and go.
This risks the collective attitude of the group, and I thought Amorim got it spot on. He wouldnt be near the group or first team for me.
Happy to be wrong, but 10 games in and I would not be surprised to see a sulk, a drop off, a flouncing around. Really hope I am wrong, but its a high risk strategy that could cause unrest with others.
09 Aug 2026 17:34:31
I agree, Red Man, on all counts.
Might as well bring Greenwood back too.
I'll fetch the popcorn.
09 Aug 2026 17:45:48
How did other players feel when countless United players did that down through the years. There are many stories of footballers who, at one time or another, were deeply unprofessional. Many of those players are heralded on here and amongst our fan base.
I think he had 7 goals before he was left out of the squad too, and I don't know if the great RA got more goals out of any one individual after his departure.
All will be forgotten if he comes back, keeps his head down, and scores a few goals.
I'm sure he knows what is required. But also, new management is a good thing for him.
09 Aug 2026 17:55:38
I don't like him, and would rather he was elsewhere.
But it's not my call to make. If the manager wants him, then he is confident he can make it work.
I'm still hopeful he will get an offer he finds acceptable, but if Carrick wants him, then he is the manager, he can pick exactly who he likes and then take the rewards or flack depending on how it works.
If indeed Carrick feels strongly that he wants him, it's really strong management, and if he gets him playing well and the team is doing well, then he can justify his decision.
If it goes pear shaped, then it might be the sword Carrick falls on.
Rashford's not played with Mbeumo, Lacey, Lammens, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko, Santos, and only with Tielemans at Villa, so that's a big positive. They didn't have to put up with his BS from before, and I'd imagine they will put him straight soon enough if he stays acting like Johnny big balls again.
09 Aug 2026 18:21:23
If he contributes to the level his salary demands, then happy days.
There is a distinct gap from what I've seen, though, and that is the problem, and a problem that will cause discontent within the ranks too.
Pull your weight, Marcus, and all will be forgotten, in my opinion.
09 Aug 2026 19:27:16
So, if your partner suddenly stops being so loving, flirts openly with others, then finds themselves getting an opportunity with the one they set their sights on, so wanting to leave you, only for the other party to decide that they aren't really right for them, would you and should you just welcome them back unconditionally, hoping to return to the previous status quo?
09 Aug 2026 20:19:07
It's an awful analogy, Eric.
What's your suggestion on how to resolve the situation?
09 Aug 2026 20:20:42
Brilliant, Ericgod!!
09 Aug 2026 21:24:05
Ken, sounds like you have loads of inside knowledge about his character re his BS from before and the Johnny big balls comment.
I'm yet to hear any player he has played with come out and make any comment like that against him. But I'm sure you know. ?
09 Aug 2026 23:10:55
I witnessed his BS on the pitch, Angel. Johnny Big Balls said he found his spiritual home in Barcelona, and his preference was to stay there, but unfortunately they didn't want him to stay either.
10 Aug 2026 08:04:49
You know my views on Rashford.
If he comes in with the right mindset, he makes our squad better.
10 Aug 2026 09:21:44
That "if" is doing some heavy lifting, Eric.
10 Aug 2026 11:54:15
I'd rather he leaves, but if that isn't on the cards then I hope he rediscovers his love for the club and his best form.
I think Carrick has been pretty cute with his assigned squad number.
He hasn't given him his No.10 back, so he clearly isn't just bending over to please him.
He hasn't given him his old No.19 either.
He has also avoided giving him one of the 1-11 numbers, which typically are given to key first team players. Or at least tend to symbolise a players importance. The No.9 is available, and if as expected Zirkzee leaves then the No.11 (his typical England number) would also be available.
He has instead given him the No.14, the same number he had at Barcelona, maybe trying to hint that he wants Rashford to show the same kind of desire and impact that he had during his loan spell.
Personally I think the trick to getting the best out of Rashford is psychological. He has the ability to be a top player, and when his head is in the right place he has shown that he can work hard and be a dedicated player. His downfall at United seems to have come when his ego got a little too big and he felt slighted/underappreciated by the club.
He felt he had earned a little leeway, and more support, that his position at the club as a senior player meant that the rules didn't apply to him the same way as they did when he was an up and coming young player.
For me he has gone from a player who seemed to play for the love of the game (from ages 17-24), to a player who is doing a job, and is feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, and is underappreciated.
The key to getting Rashford back to his best is getting him to fall back in love with the game, getting him to move on from the bad feelings he has from his final couple of seasons at the club and to have a clean slate. Getting him to understand that you're only as good as your last performance, and that you need to go out there everyday and prove yourself, to fight for his position, for his legacy. He is a boyhood Manchester United fan, deep down he loves our club, but at some point that has been tainted, getting him to realise that it was employees that have done that and not the club itself, separating the two so that he can embrace his love of the club again. He won't want to have his legacy tainted at his boyhood club, he'll want to be a club hero, to be remembered fondly. Getting him to embrace that, to fight for it, to give his all again is the key to getting the best out of him.
Which if he is staying then we need him back at his best. We need him in the right head space, both for him and for the atmosphere in the dressing room.
Maybe he is destined for the exit door, and maybe this is just a last hurrah before he moves on. But then can the manager convince him to make sure that his performances this season means he can leave through the front door with his head held high, rather than slinky off out the backdoor.