Rashford has had a tough time in the 2021-22 season. After missing a penalty for England in the Euro 2020 final, he has scored just four Premier League goals in 25 appearances at the competition. It was the lowest single-season tally of his career. Even as an emerging teenager in his first two years as a pro, he accomplished more. Still only 24, the onus is now on Rashford to show what he is truly capable of. One man who still believes he can succeed at Manchester United is the former York striker. Indeed, the 50-year-old believes Rashford remains one of the club’s best players. However, it is up to new manager Erik ten Hag to convince him of that. Yorke told ManUtd.com: “Listen, I’ll tell you how it is. I’m a big fan. As I have said, I spent some time at the club and watched training very closely. Marcus, for me, is one of Manchester United’s best players. “As a coach now, first coach, I would tell him he will play. I remember my time at Aston Villa when Brian Little came in. I was about 24 and he put his hand on me and said, “Listen, you’re my guy, my guy.” “When I look at what Rashford brings to the team, he’s a local lad to begin with and he’s been at the club ever since. [he was a kid]. He is very passionate about the club. He’s quick, quick, he can outrun defenders, he can score, he can create. “I think we’ve got a player there who kind of needs some love and attention and also needs to hear the right words because if you’re in this team, you’re one of my key guys.”
York “surprised” by Marcus Rashford’s predicament
Yorke added: “I think if Erik can definitely take my advice and I know he’s a lot more experienced than me, that’s what I would do because I see a player. I was a player and I can see a player in Marcus, a guy who’s got massive talent, massive talent. Even in training, the things he does. “I’m just surprised he’s not in a good place for some reason and that’s part of the manager’s job, to make sure he gets him back playing the kind of football I know Marcus can produce. It’s just incredible. “What I would do if I were Eric would be to say to Marcus: you’re my guy. Let’s go again. Show him some trust and believe him. I’m sure he’ll produce the goods I know he’s capable of.”
York predicts the best version of the striker
The coming weeks will be important for Rashford to stake his claim for a place in Ten Haag’s thinking for next season. But Yorke is adamant Rashford will perform well in training and pre-season games – and then in what is to come in the 2022-23 campaign. And he concluded: “What Rashford is going through is unlike what any other player has gone through. He just needs to get his head right and he also needs to be told that he is part of Manchester United. “He’s ready to rock and roll this season. he looks in great shape and I’ve seen him do little bits in training in the off-season, he looks very focused and I see someone determined to do well. It just takes, as I say, a little trust and faith in him. “I have no doubt that you will probably see the best of Marcus Rashford this season.” United’s number 10 has scored 93 goals in 302 games for the club throughout his career so far. READ MORE: Lisandro Martinez heaps praise on Jaap Stam amid Man Utd talks, but price disputed
