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Former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy shared insights on how he worked with Marcus Rashford during his time at the club. McCarthy joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff in 2022 but departed after United’s FA Cup win last season, as his contract had come to an end.
Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven, burst onto the scene in 2016. He scored twice on his European debut against FC Midtjylland before continuing his impressive form in the Premier League with a brace against Arsenal. Since then, he has made a remarkable 413 appearances for the club, scoring 135 goals and providing 71 assists.
However, his consistency has regularly been questioned, particularly last season when he managed just eight goals in 43 games across competitions. It was his joint-lowest tally since his debut campaign (2015-16).
McCarthy revealed that he was always direct with Rashford when offering both criticism and praise. He noted that the English winger certainly appreciated this approach.
“He’s pure heart and he’s Manchester United through and through. I think with me because I wasn’t going ‘Ohh Rashy!’ - he was Marcus to me - I was straight to the point and he respected that, instead of me sweet-talking him," McCarthy said (via The United Stand on X).
"I was a straight shooter, and he probably didn’t have enough people in his life that is straight with him, because everyone tells him what he needs to hear, and what he wants to hear, because of who he is. I was normal, and he appreciated that," he added.
Rashford has certainly struggled in recent seasons and has consequently even lost his spot in the England squad for the Euros. Manchester United fans will be hoping the 26-year-old can regain his top form, especially with the club currently struggling under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United Legend criticizes Erik ten Hag for substituting Marcus Rashford in recent match
Wayne Rooney openly criticized Erik ten Hag’s decision to unexpectedly substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time during their recent clash against FC Porto. Rashford had played a key role in giving United a two-goal lead in the first half of their UEFA Europa League away clash, contributing a goal and an assist.
Manchester United faltered in the second half, allowing Porto to come back and secure a 3-3 draw. After the match, Ten Hag explained that the English winger was taken off for rotation purposes. However, Rooney questioned the decision, saying that he didn’t understand the reasoning behind the change.
“Some of the changes he is making… You never see top teams changing their centre-backs during the game – or the back four – and that happens on a regular basis. The Rashford one… That was the best I’ve seen him play [v Porto] for a long time and to take him off at half-time and say we’ve got another game at the weekend is crazy," Rooney said on the Stick to Football podcast (via the Peoples Person)
Erik ten Hag is undoubtedly a man under pressure, with Manchester United failing to secure a win in their last five matches across all competitions. The under-fire manager will next face Brentford (October 19) after the international break, followed by a Europa League clash against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce (October 24).
