Marcus Rashford has been a beacon of hope for Manchester United, showing a resurgence in form after a difficult period. The striker, after a prolonged goal drought, ended his dry spell with a stunning goal against Southampton, followed by a dominant performance in a 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley, where he netted twice and provided an assist.
Rashford’s recent performances suggest he’s returning to his best, but to fully unleash his potential, manager Erik ten Hag may need to make a bold decision: dropping a £35m star from the starting lineup. With Rashford thriving in the central striker role, a tactical shift could unlock even more of his talents this season.
Why Rashford Needs the Central Role
Rashford, traditionally playing off the left wing, has been shifted into a central position under Ten Hag. His performances in this role, particularly in recent games, have showcased his ability to thrive in more fluid, central areas. His link-up play with teammates like Alejandro Garnacho and Antony has been key to unlocking United’s attack, and Ten Hag’s decision to keep him as the focal point could be a turning point for the team.
With Garnacho’s speed and dynamism on the left and Antony on the right, the Red Devils’ front three pose a lethal threat. “With Rashford as the main striker, we create space and movement that unsettles defenders,” explained Ten Hag. By positioning Rashford through the middle, Manchester United benefits from his versatility, enabling him to drift wide or exploit central spaces, a dynamic that could be even more effective as the season progresses(
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The £35m Conundrum: Who Should Sit Out?
One major challenge facing Ten Hag is who to bench to accommodate Rashford’s central role. The £35m signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has been solid but hasn’t quite matched the fluidity Rashford brings to the striker position. While Hojlund had moments of brilliance last season, Rashford’s movement and ability to play between the lines make him a more dangerous option right now.
Additionally, Amad Diallo has also shown promise and could work seamlessly alongside Rashford and Garnacho. This would force Ten Hag to make difficult decisions, with Antony possibly finding himself on the bench to make way for a more dynamic, interchangeable front line(
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Dropping Traditional No. 9s: A Tactical Shift
While traditional strikers like Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee bring strength and hold-up play, Rashford’s mobility as a false nine adds an extra layer to United’s offense. His ability to move wide or drop deep draws defenders out of position, creating pockets of space for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen to exploit. Eriksen, in particular, has thrived when Rashford leads the line, using the space to dictate the game from deeper positions(
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Ten Hag commented, “Rashford’s versatility allows us to keep defenders guessing. He doesn’t just stay central, and that opens up space for others.” With Fernandes likely to return soon from injury, keeping Rashford central could be the key to getting the best out of United’s captain as well(
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Ten Hag’s Faith in Rashford
Despite his rough patch, Ten Hag has remained unwavering in his belief in Rashford. “He just needed that one goal to spark his confidence,” said Ten Hag, after the Southampton match. Now, with his confidence restored, Rashford seems poised to lead United’s attack, but the Dutch manager must make the right selection choices to keep this momentum going(
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As Rashford continues to impress, the team will need to adapt around him, and dropping certain key players—even a £35m signing—could be the sacrifice required to fully unlock Rashford’s potential and drive United forward this season.
Conclusion: Rashford, the Key to United’s Success
To maximize Rashford’s impact, Erik ten Hag faces tough decisions on team selection. The £35m star may have to make way as United restructure their attack around a more fluid, dynamic system. The evidence suggests that when Rashford leads the line, United look more dangerous, more versatile, and more unpredictable—qualities that will be crucial in their Premier League campaign.
If Ten Hag can get the balance right, Marcus Rashford could rediscover the form that made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards(
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