Marcus Rashford could be dropped by Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag due to concerns about his declining form.
Marcus Rashford could be dropped by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag amid concerns over his loss of form.
Ten Hag finds himself under huge pressure after Tuesday’s shock 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
United have now lost six of their last 10 matches and are currently 10th in the Premier League after their disappointing start.
Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season but has managed just one in the current campaign, with his lack of form a major worry for Ten Hag.
The Mirror report that at least one member of Ten Hag’s coaching staff is understood to have expressed concerns over Rashford’s body language and decision-making in matches.
While he set up Rasmus Hojlund for the opening goal against Galatasaray, Rashford missed a huge opportunity later in the match – opting to square the ball to a teammate when through on goal.
“United sources have indicated there are serious concerns behind the scenes over Rashford’s loss of form, with the 25-year-old struggling to justify his continued selection,” added the report.
Rashford only penned a new five-year deal worth a reported £375,000-a-week with United in July.
The forward’s lack of confidence in front of goal is just one problem for Ten Hag to solve, the club currently struggling with a sizeable injury list and the situation surrounding Jadon Sancho yet to be resolved.
The winger is currently banished from the first-team squad after refusing to apologise to Ten Hag following a dispute over his efforts in training.
Antony returned to the fold against Galatasaray but is still fighting domestic abuse allegations, while Mason Greenwood’s long-term future is a question that is yet to be answered with the player currently on loan at Getafe.
In addition to Sancho, several other United players are reported to be unhappy with their current roles under Ten Hag – with The Independent claiming the atmosphere inside the dressing room and among general staff is now ‘toxic’.
Ten Hag will be desperate for a positive result this weekend, when United host Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday
The 27-year-old Cameroon international, who joined Erik ten Hag’s side from Ajax in the summer for £47.2 million, has received plenty of criticism in recent weeks following a number of high-profile mistakes.
On average, Onana has conceded almost two goals per game in a United shirt. And on Tuesday night, he was scrutinised further after a far-from-convincing performance against Galatasaray.
His positioning for Mauro Icardi’s winner was questionable, to say the least, while a wayward pass to Dries Mertens resulted in Casemiro being sent off for a last-ditch tackle.
Icardi missed his spot-kick but the damage was already done. Onana has now conceded seven goals in two Champions League games – a record opposition teams will be salivating at.
And a source from one club says players were instructed to shoot early because the former Ajax shot-stopper is so deep in his penalty area that he “effectively makes the goal bigger for them”.
Ten Hag said he signed Onana for a number of different reasons, including his ability to play out from the back.
But a number of stray passes have left United in tricky situations of late. Still, Ten Hag has backed Onana to become “one of the best goalkeepers in the world” following his latest display against Galatasaray.
Speaking after United’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, the Dutch manager said: “We are happy with our goalkeeping group. Andre was in one semi-final, last season in a final of Champions League.
“[He] can be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. We have seen already his great capabilities and also his personality. He will bounce back.
“I have to talk with more players, and Andre of course. I will encourage him and back him. He’s a great goalkeeper. We have to settle down and look forward.”
The Old Trafford club have had a spate of players on the treatment table this season, with nine having missed their hard-fought victory over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday night.
Burno Fernandes’ volley helped the club to a much-needed three points, with the club having lost their previous three encounters.
That evening saw Raphael Varane and Sofyan Amrabat return to action at Turf Moor, with both players coming on as substitutes in the closing stages.
Nevertheless, there were still 11 players absent – nine for fitness reasons – with Lisandro Martinez ruled out before the game with an unspecified problem.
While Harry Maguire and Mason Mount appear set for a return to action this week, in either of the club’s games with Crystal Palace, Ten Hag’s options have been seriously depleted throughout the campaign.
That is despite a rule the Dutchman has put in place, designed to prevent injuries.As per a Mirror report, tackles on established first-team stars are forbidden in training, as youngster Dan Gore discovered last November.
The academy graduate, who may feature in United’s Carabao Cup game against Palace on Tuesday, was called up to first-team training last season while several players were away at the World Cup.
Things, however, did not go particularly smoothly. The 18-year-old allegedly clattered Anthony Martial with a crunching challenge despite tackles on established first-teamers having been forbidden.
Tempers then boiled over with the French star lashing out at the England under-18 international.
The pair were ultimately separated from one another, with the Frenchman later apologising for his outburst.
