Marcus Rashford has failed to score for Manchester United this season and Dimitar Berbatov has urged Erik ten Hag to speak to the forward about his best position.
Ex- Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov believes Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford “need to talk” about the forward’s position after struggling during the first two matches of the season.
The Red Devils have made a stuttering start to the campaign, having scrapped past Wolves on the opening weekend, before falling to a damning 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. Ten Hag’s side did create a number of chances, especially in the first-half, against Spurs but lacked that cutting edge in the final third.
In fact, only Burnley and Everton have scored fewer goals than United (1) this season. Finding the back of the net is a major problem for Ten Hag, who has had to play Rashford down the middle as the Dutchman is still without a recognised centre forward available.
Rasmus Hojlund is yet to make an appearance since his big-money move from Atalanta, while Anthony Martial is not fit. This has forced Ten Hag’s hand to play Rashford up front, although the 25-year-old would prefer to be out on the left-wing – which many think is his best position.
And Berbatov, who spent four years at Old Trafford, thinks Ten Hag and Rashford need to have chat about his best position. Speaking to Betfair, Berbatov said: “I think we all know that he prefers to play on the wing, going inside, cutting in and scoring and doing everything that he can do with his quick feet.
” Manchester United need to fill the position of a striker, Rashford probably doesn’t like playing as a nine. Him and Ten Hag need to talk about it. The manager might explain to him that he needs to fill the boots of striker at the moment. As much as you may not like it, you need to try your best to do it. It’s probably not working out so far.
“Rasmus Hojlund needs to come back and be integrated into the team injury free, you can’t rush it. They’ll get the ball in the box to him and leave Rashford to do what he can do, going from the wings to use the space to cut inside, cross or shoot.
“At the moment, when a player plays out of position, I can understand why they might not happy because you know that your strong qualities are not going to show and you’re going to suffer because of that.”
Rashford excelled for United last season, scoring 30 goals in 56 matches in all competitions as they won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League. The vast majority of his impressive performances came from the left-hand side, however, and that is where the England international wants to play.
Asked where he’d prefer, Rashford told Gary Neville on the Overlap : “Left wing, although I feel like [as] centre forward you’ve got less distance to cover to score simple goals. When you’re on the left wing, if you’re late working the back post sometimes its a 30-yard sprint. And if the striker pulls to the back and you’ve got to go across the front then its another 15 yards.”
Source: mirror.co.uk
