Marcus Rashford has delivered a frank assessment of Manchester United’s current state following his season-long loan move to Barcelona.
The forward departed Old Trafford this summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Ruben Amorim. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker, Rashford claimed the club’s much-talked-about “transition” has yet to even begin, despite Amorim’s appointment last season and a wave of new signings this summer.
“People say we’ve been in a transition for years, but to be in a transition, you have to actually start it,” Rashford said. “When Liverpool went through theirs, they brought in [Jurgen] Klopp and stuck with him. They didn’t win right away, but they had a plan and stuck to it. We’ve had too many managers, ideas, and strategies, and that leaves you in no man’s land.
“When Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, the principles applied to the first team and the academy, so any player could step up and understand the Manchester United way. Successful teams have core principles that everyone must align with. At United, it’s often been reactionary. If your direction keeps changing, you can’t expect to win the league.”
The England international admitted it “hurts” to watch his boyhood club struggle: “Not just as a player, but as a fan, 100 per cent.”
United endured a miserable campaign last season, finishing 15th in the Premier League. The club has since bolstered its squad with Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, and is pursuing Brighton midfielder Carles Baleba. Off the pitch, they recently unveiled a £50 million upgrade to the Carrington training complex.
Meanwhile, Rashford is awaiting registration clearance to make his La Liga debut for Barcelona, who face Real Mallorca on Saturday. Back in England, United begin their league campaign against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
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