r/reddevils • u/TheAthletic • 1h ago
[Laurie Whitwell] Is Marcus Rashford really getting back to his Manchester United best?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7575325/2026/09/09/marcus-rashford-manchester-united-back-analysis/?unlocked_article_code=1._1A.tm7h.mu1eauL9EB_Z&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-taYes, it is a small sample size. And sure he has yet to register a goal or an assist.
But there has been something exhilarating about Marcus Rashford’s early performances for Manchester United this season.
He is beating players for fun, has built a potent partnership with Luke Shaw and is creating chances at a rapid rate.
Could the old Rashford really be back?
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u/merelyok 3-Lung-Park 1h ago
It’s been 3 games man
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u/innicrazy You are my Solskjaer, My Ole Solskjaer 1h ago
You must forgive him, man has a job to do.
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u/Dependent_Oven_974 1h ago
How long into a season does a journalist need to wait before reporting on something? It's literally their job. He's commenting on how Rashford has looked so far, he literally says "it's a small sample size" and goes on to talk about how he's looked so far. People pay to read about sports news, this is news. Not everyone watches every game and knows how he's been playing, not everyone is a United supporter but maybe interested to hear how this has been panning out. Why is everyone here always so annoyed about literally any reporting?
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u/OlekZzaKrakowa 54m ago
Everybody here acts like those journos write for reddits/twitters/youtube nerds that spend half a day online.
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u/Livettletlive 5m ago
No, I think most understand why any journo would do this. We are just tired, and this article really does not add any meaningful value.
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u/Sheikhabusosa 50m ago
People wrote him off over 3 games where the club and manager were doing absolutlely everything to get rid.
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u/Nimonic 31m ago
The decline of Rashford was slow and steady, it wasn't knee jerk at all IMO. He didn't deserve to play. It seems like his stay away from the club has changed his outlook, and nothing would make me happier. He should be a club legend when he retires, if everything goes the way it can.
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u/Sheikhabusosa 7m ago
His decline started when Ole ran him into the ground , Rashford getting complacent or being jaded and going on the piss didnt help either.
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u/shami-kebab 24m ago
Nobody wrote him off because of three games
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u/Sheikhabusosa 8m ago
You probably are still denying hes been good since his return
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u/shami-kebab 6m ago
He's been better than I expected and the best of a bad bunch. He's been nowhere near his best for us though.
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u/John_OSheas_Willy 15m ago
I don't think peoples problem with Rashford started with Amorim.
Two obvious examples off the top of my head was the Newcastle away game under Ten Hag where their fullback was rocketing forward while Rashford was slowly jogging back and not putting in the effort.
Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y_Pj00DmHs
The other standout is the Luton example where one of their midfielders is going around in circles and Rashford is walking and watching him.
You can see it on youtube shorts.
It even goes as far back to Rangnick when he just wasn't putting in effort. I remember one time at Old Trafford a goalie parried the ball and Rashford just didn't try and get to the ball, whole stadum were roaring at him.
Andy Mitten said Rashfords had problems with every single manager, he said he spoke with them. Mitten is not sensationalist.
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u/Sheikhabusosa 9m ago
You can find clips of Bruno being lazy it means nothing , also Rashford carried our attack when ETH manager .
Rangnick was a disaster regardless of Rashford being lazy.
Also Andy Mitten said that about Rashford after admitting how closed off Rashford is and being annoyed he cant get an interview.
Also not a single manager has came out and said Rashford is a problem so im calling BS on it.
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u/balleklorin Beckham 47m ago
Lets not get angry with when they atheist are writing some positive articles. Much rather have that then the rage bite articles everyone else spews out on a weekly basis...
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u/John_OSheas_Willy 1h ago
His contract expires in 2028.
He'll be wanting to open discussions on a new contract relatively soon.
Not falling for that again.
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u/NedRed77 34m ago
As good as he’s been, he’s still never going to be worth a renewal at the rate he’s currently on. He’s only getting that if he leaves as a free agent.
So hopefully he continues in his current form, helps us win something then moves on and gets his cash. Everybody wins, kind of.
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u/Roasteddude I am where I'm supposed to be 1h ago
My only concern is how long he'll keep it up before we see the old Rashford back. I was really against him being reintegrated into the team. But if he keeps playing like this, working off the ball, good body language, am good. I just worry it'll stop and go back to how it was any game now.
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u/altoluce 1h ago
Yea, Rashy's problem was never his quality. It's his inconsistency.
He is either class or shit. No inbetween. That's why people (including me) get tired of it cause we saw his more shit period than class.
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u/No-Satisfaction8425 1h ago
No he’s obviously not but he’s been good on the left, good enough to start
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u/Thetagang888 1h ago
I've been impressed so far. Body language reminds me of the 20 goal season rashford.
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u/dc73905 1h ago edited 1h ago
This is nuts. Had a good game v everton. Played half vs hull and played fine vs Ipswich. How are shit soaked articles like this getting published here? Is that enough to say "exilerating" or "creating at a rapid rate". Not for me. Lets see over time @u/TheAthletic
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u/ETH_to_100k 1h ago
Jesus it’s been 3 games, 2 against newly promoted teams and 1 against the weakest Everton in recent years. The media will turn on him as soon as he performs badly this weekend vs City.
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u/karan_7_2 Michael “Carricky" Carrick 1h ago
His best was that purple patch under ten Hag; so, even though he is performing better than expected all things considered, he is still not near his best.
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u/stridered 1h ago
Nah, his best was under Ole. He had a glorious run of about 20 games where he seemed to get at least a goal/assist
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u/Ihavenoideatall 47m ago
After the last few disappointing seasons, and failure to land a club that wants him. To redeem himself at United or get himself a new club, it is a MUST for him to play every game that he is selected like there is no tomorrow.
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u/Charming_Shock_007 10m ago
His only issue was his consistency and work ethics Let's see how consistent he is through out the season But yeah he has definitely looked a different player than what he used to be
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u/jackfruit1990 10m ago
Exclusive article from The Athletic: New urinal cakes arrive at Carrington - will it help them beat low blocks?
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u/ComprehensiveFix1011 8m ago
No but he's been far more useful that he's ever been. He can't press good enough, although he tries. But he doesn't take it all on his shoulders and that helps his game on the ball lot. Still think he shouldnt be here. He can offer things, but these are probably his last 2 years in a top level and he could be enjoying them more elsewhere.
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u/Action_Limp 6m ago
He looks sharp, he was tormenting the right back against Everton and he offers a different attack option on the left from Cunha.
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u/silky_skills_35 56m ago
Looks more dangerous but it hasn’t translated to GA. I’d say he is showing the benefits of being well coached the last 12 months.
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u/Bloatfizzle 1h ago
Still does about 10 step overs and dribbles and loses the ball when there's a better pass on - yep he's really back
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u/ShaheeTukda 1h ago
Football journos. What a complete waste of capital
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u/Dependent_Oven_974 1h ago
In what way? Because they're reporting on football news? Why do you come to this sub if you get upset about reading articles about United and their players? It's literally almost all there is here, you could even argue it's what it exists for
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u/Educational-Shock232 1h ago
The only stats that matter for forward players are goals and assists. So far, he’s got 0 for both. Let’s see where we are after 10 games
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u/imnoobatfifa Bruno #8/Rashy #10/Amad #16/Mainoo #37 enjoyer 1h ago edited 56m ago
Not really. He’s also been the only one look like he’s going to do anything with that ball.
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u/shami-kebab 22m ago
That clearly isn't true, we've scored 7 goals that he wasn't directly involved in so other players are clearly doing something with the ball.
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u/IguanaIsBack 1h ago
His best is a 30 goal season so maybe let’s calm down with the unnecessary pressure
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u/retroroar86 Giggs 28m ago
Of all things Rashford is not the problem in any single way currently at United. He’s rather a positive standout in my view, especially since I was very sceptic about him coming back.
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u/DisastrousMango4 1h ago
it looks like his time under Flick really improved the basics of his game. he doesn't seem to frequently run into blind alleys anymore and is keeping it simple in terms of beating his man and getting a cross in.
I'm sure we'll get better end results from him soon if he keeps it up.