Jamie Carragher has reiterated his criticism of Marcus Rashford ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
After a personal best 30 goals in all competitions in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge of United in 2022/23, Rashford’s form dipped last season as he scored just eight times in a largely miserable campaign for the Red Devils.
The 26-year-old’s performances were scrutinised in the 1-0 win over Fulham and the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in August, with Ten Hag replacing the number 10 in the latter encounter. However, with Jadon Sancho leaving for Chelsea on transfer deadline day and no replacement available, Rashford remains first choice on the left side of United’s attack despite struggling for fitness.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher has previously questioned how high United can aim with Rashford as their main striker, and he reiterated his concerns ahead of his former club’s visit to Premier League Manchester.
What did Jamie Carragher say about Marcus Rashford?
Speaking on Sky Sports in the UK, Carragher said: “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: if Marcus Rashford is Manchester United’s best attacking player, they’re not going to win a league or a European Cup.”
United’s last league title came in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2012/13, while they have not won the UEFA Champions League since 2009. In 2024/25 they will compete in the UEFA Europa League, having qualified for the tournament by winning the FA Cup last season.
Former United captain Gary Neville believes there are still “unanswered questions” regarding the team’s ability under Ten Hag, particularly when it comes to goalscoring.
“We are two years into Erik ten Hag’s reign and there are still a lot of unanswered questions: establishing a back four, a style of play and a system that suits the whole group and getting Marcus Rashford fit,” he said.
“When you think Jadon Sancho came here for about £80m, Angel Di Maria came here for about £60m and Antony came here for about £80m… that’s three £250m signings that haven’t worked out, and on top of that they’ve got an academy player here who’s struggling.
“That’s why I was against the idea of signing Raheem Sterling, even though I think he’s a good player. It’s because we have four wingers with [Alejandro] Garnacho, Rashford, Amad [Diallo] and Antoine. That’s enough.
“We have to get the best out of the players we have here. United have to start doing that again. The big question is: how can they score enough goals?”
