Marcus Rashford Criticises Manchester United’s Lack of Direction
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, has given a candid take on Manchester United’s ongoing struggles, saying the club has strayed from the principles that once made it a powerhouse.
Now in his second consecutive loan spell—having played last season at Aston Villa—the England forward believes the decline began after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Rashford reflected on his time coming through United’s academy, recalling how Ferguson’s philosophy was deeply rooted across all levels of the club.
“When Ferguson was in charge, the same principles applied to both the first team and the academy,” he said. “You could bring in a player from the youth ranks and they would already understand what it meant to play the Manchester United way.”
He argued that lasting success requires a clear identity and a consistent plan—something he feels United have lacked in recent years. “Successful teams stick to their core values. Any coach or player coming in has to adapt to them or build on them. At United, there have been moments of hunger to win, but too often it’s been reactionary. If your direction keeps changing, winning the league becomes impossible.”
Barcelona hold the option to make Rashford’s stay permanent next summer, a move that could signal the end of his Old Trafford career if the issues he’s raised remain unresolved.
