Marcus Rashford: ‘Reactionary’ Man United stuck in ‘no man’s land’

On-loan Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford believes the club strategy in the recent past has been reactionary. Rashford said the Old Trafford-based club has found themselves in no man’s land since Sir Alex Ferguson departure.

After Ferguson left the club, United have appointed seven permanent managers. The current manager Ruben Amorim replaced Erik Ten Hag last November.

United had a horrible run in the previous season, finishing in 15th place in the Premier League standings. The Old Trafford-based club could only manage 11 wins out of the 38 matches.

United played nine draws and suffered 18 losses and could only aggregate 42 points, which is their worst ever season in the last 50 years.

“When Ferguson was in charge, not only were there principles for the first team but they were for the whole academy,” Rashford told the Rest is Football podcast.

“So you could pick players from 15 years, a full generation, and they’d all understand the principles of playing the Manchester United way.”

Rashford said the club’s regular changes in head coach’s role means they are stuck in “no man’s land.”

“People say we’ve been in a transition for years. To be in a transition, you have to start the transition. So it’s like the actual transition’s not started yet,” he said.

“You see it with any team that’s been successful over a period of time — they have principles that any coach that comes in, any player that comes in, has to align to these principles or be able to add to these principles.

“Whereas at times I feel like United have just been … We’re hungry to win, so we’ll always try to adapt and to sign players that fit this system. But it’s reactionary.”

United will begin their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford.