Paul Parker offers a damning verdict of Marcus Rashford

Wednesday night witnessed Manchester United succumb to another 3-0 defeat, with a heavily rotated Newcastle team handing them the loss in the Carabao Cup. This disappointing result came on the heels of a similar defeat against Manchester City on Sunday evening, a game in which United were thoroughly outplayed at home. We had the opportunity to speak with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker, who shared his candid thoughts on two of the club’s English talents.

In this article: 

• Rashford is a goalscorer, not a good footballer 
• Giving Rashford a new contract was a mistake
• Rashford is nowhere near Foden or Grealish 
• Rashford should focus on playing as a striker 
• The lack of identity at United is limiting Mount 

Rashford is a goalscorer, not a good footballer 

One of Manchester United’s stars of the previous season was their very own academy graduate Marcus Rashford. His 30 goals in all competitions last season helped steer United to a top four finish and Carabao Cup glory. However his numbers have decreased massively this season. Parker, who is never one to shy away from sharing his opinion, remains highly critical of Rashford this season.

“Football is not about numbers. Football is not Cricket or Baseball. But people keep using stats, which is wrong. Marcus Rashford doesn’t bring anything to the team and I said the same thing last year, when he scored all these goals between November and April.”

“He was never a good player, he was a goalscorer. People were calling me a traitor, they were calling me bitter, but this is not about bitterness.”

“After that period with all these goals scored, people went mad with telling the club they should give him a new contract and tie him to the club.”

Giving Rashford a new contract was a mistake

Rashford signed a new five year deal in the summer after rejecting lucrative offers from England and abroad to stay at Old Trafford. The deal ties him to the club until the summer of 2028 which Parker feels was a mistake. He claims the club rushed by offering Rashford a new contract and argues his goals cover up the cracks in his game.

“Man United rushed to give him loads of money and now they are not being rewarded for what they invested in him. In any industri, you should be rewarded for consistency but he was rewarded after a few months and since then it has just been erratic.”

“I have my opinion about him, and it’s very clear. His goals cover all his cracks. He is not tracking back, he is not having any discipline and any fullback must hate to play behind him.”

Rashford is nowhere near Foden or Grealish 

Rashford has faced criticism for his defensive effort, particularly his pressing and tracking back, which have drawn negative attention from United fans. This hasn’t escaped Parker’s notice, who also holds the opinion that Manchester City’s stars, like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, are superior footballers compared to Rashford.

“He doesn’t bother with tracking back because he just wants his goals. We do need to remember that he has a certain skill set, but it’s nowhere near players like Jack Grealish or Phil Foden. Nowhere near.”

“He should never play as a left wing, it’s not going to work. He is not an inverted winger, and he is not Jack Grealish.”

Rashford should focus on playing as a striker 

Under Louis van Gaal’s guidance, Rashford emerged as a striker for United but was transformed into a winger by the subsequent manager, Jose Mourinho. Rashford has since refined his role as a left winger, though he has been called upon to play as a striker when needed. Parker believes that Rashford’s optimal position is at the front, suggesting that he would perform best as a striker rather than a winger.

“My advice for him would be that he should not refuse to play as a centre forward or a right winger. I think he can achieve something at least, if he plays as a centre forward next to Rasmus Hojlund.”

“But he could also play on the right wing. He should never play on the left wing, and even the right wing would require him to work harder. But if he plays on the right wing, he could bring directness and go on the outside and deliver an early cross.”

Another Englishman who has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford is summer signing Mason Mount. The attacking midfielder has contended with form issues and injuries since joining United.

Lack of identity at United is limiting Mount 

Mount earned a reputation for his hard work off the ball and his goal-scoring contributions for both club and country. However, he has been largely anonymous at United so far. Parker believes that Mount’s struggles are due to a lack of identity on the pitch.

“Chelsea played a pattern of football that suited Mason Mount and United haven’t got a pattern because the manager is still trying to work out a pattern of play with the players he’s got.” 

“He’s also had injuries to key players and some of the players that are fit are struggling at the moment.”

“Ten Hag has to tread carefully because he can’t afford to lose any more of the players from a mental perspective. He needs bodies.” 

“Mount is another player that may have come to Manchester United at the wrong time.” 

“Mount couldn’t get into the Chelsea team and they used him as fodder for FFP to balance the books.” 

“There’s a long way for him to go to prove his value at United.”