Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been criticized by Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward – who has since treated him better.
We have not seen Marcus Rashford at his best this season, and at times, it feels like we haven’t even seen him play to 50 per cent of the level he was last season.
Part of that is on the player. He is coming in for some heavy criticism right now, from frustrated fans, and outspoken pundits.
But there’s another angle to it, too. After last season, opposing players know they have to lift their game when they play against him.
See case in point, Joel Ward, this past weekend for Crystal Palace.
Speaking to Crystal Palace’s website prior to kick-off, Joel Ward spoke of his excitement to be facing Rashford.
He explained: “I think Marcus has set the stage alight for a number of years and he’s experienced now. He’s come up against so many different players in the Premier League and shown his quality and around the world.
“I think it’s a battle you relish. You want to put yourself up against the best of the best and he’s certainly up there with his technical ability, his speed and athleticism and his threat – but we want to nullify his opportunities.
“You set your benchmark against the best players in the world and the best clubs in the world.”
This is the problem Manchester United have faced for years, opponents raising their game against us. But former boss Sir Alex Ferguson always found a way to keep his players motivated, and ensured they had more hunger than their opponents.
I think this raises a really valid question for Marcus Rashford, whether he is approaching the games with the same determination to specifically one-up his opponent, rather than just going out there and trusting his own ability.
Self-assurance is great, but it can also be a player’s downfall, if they don’t have the same hunger every single week.
Did Rashford look at Joel Ward and think he was in for an easy ride because the defender is not one of the game’s elite?
At the weekend, the Eagles star coped more than well enough. He shut Rashford down, with the Manchester United star failing to register a single shot on target.
Ward won two tackles, made one block, two interceptions, and five clearances. He was clearly up for the challenge, and won it.
What’s the famous saying? “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
That’s what looks like it applies here. Rashford needs to find a way to motivate himself to play to the peak of his powers every week. That’s what really separates the ‘best of the best’.
