‘I wasn’t enjoying it’ - Manchester United star must decide his own future amid transfer rumours

How do you solve a problem like Marcus Rashford? That is a question that will be taxing minds both at Manchester United and in the player’s own camp ahead of a return to Carrington next week.

With Rashford considering a potential change in his representation, as reported by the MEN yesterday, there is doubt about his future once again. The decision to stick with Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager won't have enthralled the academy graduate.

Although Ten Hag was in charge for Rashford’s best season, his returns dropped dramatically last season and his off-field behaviour became a concern, twice earning a reprimand from the Dutch disciplinarian for partying.

Having scored 30 goals in Ten Hag’s first season, he managed just eight last season and his game and his confidence appeared to be deserting him. He is no longer first-choice on the left and his route into the team relies on Alejandro Garnacho being fielded on the right instead.

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Despite those mediocre returns last term, United want to keep Rashford, who is one year into a five-year deal on £325,000 a week. But working on what went wrong last season is essential to returning the forward to his best level.

Did that contract lead to a slackening off, even subconsciously? Is Rashford’s relationship with Ten Hag beyond repair? Then there’s the fractious relationship with the United support. They desperately want one of their own to succeed, but feel the frustrations more when a United fan with that talent isn’t delivering on it. Any sense he is coasting is met with resentment.

In a way, this is one of those rare cases when it is the player who must decide what comes next. Rashford is at a crunch point in his career, having spent an international tournament summer watching from afar. At 26, Rashford must start delivering consistently, he must knuckle down to make the most of his talent, focusing on training and doing things right off the pitch, rather than partying in Belfast and throwing a sickie the following day.

Does he still believe that his boyhood club offers the right environment for him, or does he feel he needs a change of scenery? If it’s the latter, maybe the time has come to ask for a move.

United would be reluctant sellers, but there would be interest and his sale would look good on the balance sheet, allowing for significant reinvestment into Ten Hag’s squad. French giants PSG have shown an interest and are one of only a few clubs who could afford a £70m-80m fee and the wages.

Alternatively, Rashford must recommit to the cause. If he has another season like the last one, off the pitch as much as on it, then the decision won’t be in his hands next summer. He has to change.

When he became the first United player since Robin van Persie to hit 30 goals in 2022/23, Ten Hag challenged him to get to 40.

"With Marcus, there's a lot of room for improvement in his game and I'm convinced he could score even more," Ten Hag said in May 2023. "I think when you take for instance the last ten games he didn't score so many goals, I think only two or three.

"He can improve but I'm happy where he was last season and what he did now and that he has brought himself back.

"We supported him where we could with the way of play, but also in his mental mindset. So we are happy with that but yeah, we have to push for more. I'm sure he's capable of scoring 40 goals in the season and to make also for him the next step."

A year on, those quotes look foolhardy. Ten Hag was right that the drop-off began towards the end of that season and it never recovered. The concern is that the 30-goal campaign is sandwiched between a return of five goals in 32 games in 2021/22 and eight goals in 43 games in 2023/24. Will the real Marcus Rashford stand up? That is a startling record of inconsistency.

Last July Rashford had a rare chat with members of the Manchester press pack. Holding court in a huddle with just a couple of reporters after the end of a training session in San Diego, he discussed why he had suddenly started scoring again, putting his improvement down to greater freedom.

"We were just a little bit rigid in the past, sometimes you’re not enjoying your football and that was the case with me,” he said.

“I wasn’t enjoying my football as much as I should be, as much I was used to enjoying it. Because of that it influenced my performance and ultimately that’s how I am as a person, if I’m not happy then it’s difficult for me to play my best football."

It is easy to read that assessment and nod along. One of Rashford’s issues is that his body language betrays him. When he’s low on confidence and not enjoying himself, it is painfully obvious, and that can attract the wrath of supporters. That is just who Rashford is, however.

Rashford also said that day that he had considered leaving United before Ten Hag’s arrival and that he “came to the club at the right time for me.”

That relationship is strained now and Rashford would be unlikely to deliver such a verdict again. Over the next week or so, he needs to decide if his future is at Old Trafford or if it’s time to cut ties with the only club he has ever known.

If he does stay, he has to rebuild the trust with Ten Hag and rediscover his mojo. Another underwhelming season would certainly spell the end.