Marcus Rashford Labeled Manchester United's 'Weak Link' by Michael Owen

Michael Owen, former striker for Manchester United, has identified Marcus Rashford as the team's "weak link" in the forward line following a string of recent performances. Rashford has started four of Manchester United's five Premier League matches since returning to Old Trafford after loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. His current campaign has seen him play over 400 minutes across all competitions without registering a goal or an assist.

During Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday, Rashford was substituted in the second half due to a hip issue. This injury has led to his withdrawal from the upcoming England squad. Owen shared his observations on Rashford's current state, noting a perceived lack of enjoyment and a "glum face" during matches.

"He just doesn’t seem to be loving his football which has been a permanent frustration with Marcus," Owen stated. "It does look like the weight of the world is on his shoulders and you just think how? Why? He’s living everybody’s dream. Surely there’s something behind the scenes that is making him look as if he’s not enjoying his football at the moment."

Rashford had a more productive spell at Barcelona, where he contributed 25 goals and assists, including 14 goals. However, Owen suggested that the confidence gained there seems to be diminishing. "Last chance saloon was Barcelona. I couldn’t believe his luck in getting a team like Barcelona," Owen commented. "He does reasonably well out there, but not well enough for them to keep him and then they end up spending fortunes to replace him by buying Anthony Gordon. So, it wasn’t all perfect. It wasn’t all rosy despite any spin that people put on it."

Owen believes that Rashford's position in the United attack is vulnerable, especially with competition from other players. "And then he comes back to Manchester United. He’s done okay, but only okay. And he needs to probably do a little bit better in that front three because his is the position in the attack that would be vulnerable," Owen said. "There’s a bit of a demand for Benjamin Sesko to come back in and start, injury permitting of course. But if that happens, Cunha is going to go on the left and Rashford would be the weak link in that attack as things stand."

Despite his criticisms, Owen expressed faith in Rashford's potential to improve if he can achieve the right mental state. "There is nothing that that lad hasn’t got," Owen continued. "He is so tall, such a great athlete. His touch and his skill levels are unbelievable. He’s quick. He’s got everything that you would want in a player, and it just shows you if you haven’t got that [mentality], that is the most important thing in football. Not even a question. If you’re mentally strong, then you can go far in the game and he has got absolutely everything."

Owen concluded by emphasizing the importance of mental fortitude for a player of Rashford's caliber. "When he’s confident, when he’s happy and everything then he can be a world beater. But it’s not often he’s got that between his ears ticking. It’s not often that he’s in the right frame of mind," he stated. "He’s 28 now, he should be in his prime. He should be absolutely tearing defences apart, scoring loads of goals. We’re talking about what records he can break. He has got that ability to do it, and he’s shown it in patches, but just not seeing it on a consistent basis."

The exact return date for Rashford from his hip injury remains unknown. He is set to miss England's upcoming Nations League matches against Spain, Czechia, and Croatia over the next three weeks.