While having the most prolific season of his career in 2022–2023 at Manchester United, Rashford has been lacking confidence in the current campaign. He has, in fact, just managed one goal in 13 games this season.
Only two other players in Man Utd’s squad have scored more than one league goal this season, so the fact that it has been nearly two months since his last goal at the club level is concerning.
Furthermore, it’s not how Manchester United would have wanted their academy graduate to develop after offering him a lucrative new contract in the summer.
Carragher stated: “I always assume that you’re not going to have the same figures or the same performances that you had last season when things were going really well when a team isn’t playing well, which it isn’t.
However, he needs to go above and above. That is beyond dispute. Regarding Marcus Rashford, I’ve always felt the same way: he’s not world-class, but he’s definitely a step below it.
Marcus Rashford, though, cannot be Manchester United’s finest attacker if they hope to return to winning the league or a European cup, which is the standard by which they should always be measured.
“To go and win that, Manchester United needs a player greater than Marcus Rashford. That’s more of an attack on the players he’s playing with than it is on him.
Thus, Manchester United won’t be winning league titles or European cups if Marcus Rashford remains the team’s top attacker, as he has under the previous two or three managers.
How else is Rashford capable of?
“When I watch him, I sometimes think he can do more in terms of energy, making runs in behind,” Carragher said in response to the question of what more Rashford might do to improve his game.
“I understand that sometimes his body language isn’t the best when the team isn’t performing well, but even in those situations, he is still the best player on the team, and I believe he can contribute more.”
As Tuesday marks Rashford’s 26th birthday, he is approaching the age at which he ought to have improved. But he will be under pressure to add more given the current situation.