The Sky Sports pundits have weighed in on Marcus Rashford following his 100th goal for Man Utd, while the player himself has explained what’s changed to spark such an impressive turnaround compared to last season.
Rashford brought up a century of goals for Manchester United when thundering home the winner against West Ham on Sunday.
Rashford arrived like an express train to power home Christian Eriksen’s terrific delivery. The three points owed much to David de Gea’s late heroics, but also to Rashford putting them ahead in the first place.
The 25-year-old brought his tally for the season to seven goals and three assists after just 15 matches. He’s already surpassed the totals he amassed in both of those categories throughout all of last season (five and two).
Explaining what has sparked his revival to Sky Sports, Rashford admitted he wasn’t quite right mentally last year.
He also claimed the “different energy” around the club at present – seemingly fostered by new boss Erik ten Hag – has given him a new lease on life.
“I wasn’t in the right headspace for games” – Rashford
“It’s a complete different energy around the club and the training ground,” Rashford told Sky Sports. “That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in.
“I was struggling at times with more mental things. It wasn’t really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That’s the biggest difference from last season.
“I get that it’s your job to speak about what happens on the pitch but for the players we have to get into the right headspace for every game.
“Too often last season, I wasn’t in the right headspace for games. I wasn’t surprised by some of the stuff that was happening.”
Sky duo Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp weighed in on Rashford’s timely return to form. His place in the England squad for the Qatar World Cup has looked in jeopardy at one stage, though now looks assured.
Neville claimed Rashford’s commendable charity and community work away from football may have impacted his fortunes on the field.
He also insisted Rashford has broken his Ronaldo curse and now sees himself as equal and not “subservient” to the Portuguese legend.
“He’d pass it to [Ronaldo] like he was subservient” – Neville
“It is stark to hear Rashford say I wasn’t in the right headspace going into a match,” Neville said. “There’s no doubt there was too much being put into his head off the pitch. Too much. Sometimes you have to simplify your life.
“He’s doing so much good off the pitch, it’s incredible what he’s achieving but there comes a point where your bread and butter is your football and I suspect people off the pitch who are close to him, who are probably just pulling him away a little bit from his core, which is his football.
“That’s where he’s talking about his head space. For me he’s got that back.”
Neville continued: “There were people that thought he’d have to move away from Manchester United. I thought that would be a shame and hoped that the moment would come back where you’d see him confident again.
“There were moments when he’s running with real power and strength and flow… but there were times last year where he’d get in that position and he was hesitant and he’d pass it back and take the easy option.
“There were also moments last year, when Ronaldo was available, he’d pass it to him like he was subservient to him. I feel now he’s willing to take [responsibility] and then play him in when he needs to.”
Finally, Jamie Redknapp gave his take after previously going on record to state Rashford must move away from Old Trafford to reignite his career.
Redknapp claimed Man Utd now look a club who can get the best out of a player with immeasurable talent and potential. He also reckons serious questions must be asked if that doesn’t transpire.
“A crime” if Man Utd don’t bring best out of Rashford
“‘I wasn’t mentally right’ – when do you really hear a player ever say that?” Redknapp said. “We expect them to be mentally right, ready for the game. He wasn’t in the right head space.
“If you look at his attributes, he possesses everything. He can jump, he can run with the ball, he’s got a ferocious shot, he can take free-kicks… if Manchester United can’t get the best out of this player, that’s a crime.
“I know you have to do it yourself, but you have to find ways of getting someone to produce that level. He has everything. He can play off either side.
“When I felt he might leave the club, he’d have gone somewhere else and thrived and been an absolute star. But now it looks like Man Utd can get that out of him.”
READ MORE: Gary Neville: Man Utd like Real Madrid as he predicts finish, names four stars Erik ten Hag has transformed
Ten Hag told it’s a ‘crime’ if Man Utd star doesn’t shine, as Neville claims damaging Ronaldo dynamic is broken
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