Marcus Rashford has seemingly pointed the finger at Manchester United’s unstable environment as the key reason behind his struggle to maintain consistent form over the past few years.
The 27-year-old forward is currently flourishing on loan at Barcelona, thriving under the management of Hansi Flick. Rashford joined the Catalan club last summer on a one-year loan deal, but Barcelona reportedly holds an option to make the move permanent if he continues to impress.
So far, Rashford has recorded three goals and five assists in ten appearances across all competitions, quickly becoming a crucial attacking weapon for Flick’s revitalized squad. His form has also convinced Thomas Tuchel to keep faith in him for England’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers campaign.
Rashford Admits: “Consistency Is What I’ve Been Missing”
In a pre-match interview with ITV ahead of England’s clash against Latvia, Rashford addressed Tuchel’s earlier comments suggesting that he only needed consistency to reach world-class status.
“I completely agree,” Rashford said. “Consistency is what I’ve been missing. But it’s difficult to be consistent when you’ve been part of an inconsistent environment for so long.”
Although Rashford refrained from directly naming Manchester United, many fans and pundits interpreted his remarks as a clear criticism of the instability surrounding his former club.
“We’ve had too many changes during my career,” he continued. “But now, I’m focused on improving myself and performing at my best as often as possible. To be consistent, you need a stable environment and a clear training structure.”
Constant Managerial Changes at Old Trafford
Rashford’s comments carry weight when you look at the turbulent decade Manchester United has endured. Since making his debut under Louis van Gaal in 2016, the English forward has played under seven different managers, including four interim bosses.
His most productive spell came during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, scoring 22 goals and providing 9 assists in the 2019/20 season, followed by 21 goals and 13 assists the following year.
However, after Solskjaer’s dismissal, Rashford’s form plummeted during Ralf Rangnick’s short stint, managing just five goals all season. Under Erik ten Hag, he briefly rediscovered his best version, netting 30 goals in 2022/23 — one of his best career seasons.
Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t last. In the 2023/24 campaign, Rashford’s performances dipped again, with only eight goals to his name, accompanied by several off-field controversies — including lateness to training and a tequila-fueled night out in Belfast. These issues strained his relationship with Ten Hag and the club hierarchy.
From Amorim’s Rejection to Barcelona’s Revival
When Ruben Amorim replaced Ten Hag at the helm, Rashford’s situation worsened. He was frozen out of the squad and eventually loaned to Aston Villa, where he managed to reignite some of his spark — scoring four goals and six assists in 17 matches.
Now at Barcelona, Rashford appears to be back on track. Despite a brief disciplinary hiccup — being dropped by Hansi Flick last month for arriving late to a team meeting — he has shown maturity and determination to prove his worth.
Under Flick’s structured system, Rashford seems to have regained his confidence, rhythm, and sharpness, demonstrating why he was once regarded as one of England’s brightest attacking talents.
A Fresh Start and a Point to Prove
Rashford’s subtle jab at Manchester United highlights a broader issue at the club — a lack of continuity, direction, and player development over the years. For Rashford, a move to Barcelona might be the fresh start he desperately needed — a stable environment where he can finally fulfill his world-class potential.
If his strong start continues, Barcelona are widely expected to activate his permanent transfer clause, marking what could be the beginning of a new chapter in his career — far away from the chaos of Old Trafford.
ALSO READ :
- SBOTOP: Crystal Palace Set to Accelerate Contract Talks with Oliver Glasner as Europe’s Elite Circle the Eagles Boss
- SBOTOP: FIFA Considers Midnight Kick-Offs for 2026 World Cup to Combat Scorching Heat Across USA Mexico and Canada
- SBOTOP: Mikel Arteta Confident Arsenal’s Growing Squad Depth Can Fuel Champions League Title Ambitions
