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'Marcus Rashford must show his desire on the pitch – and Erik ten Hag is responsible too'
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Rashford hit back at his critics with a first-person article for the Players’ Tribune website, but Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham doesn't feel it's the right way to go
Erik ten Hag must shoulder some responsibility for Marcus Rashford's poor form, says Teddy Sheringham.
The England international finished last season with a career-best tally of 30 goals. But he's been out of sorts this term, with just five Premier League goals to his name, and was spotted partying in Northern Ireland in January which led to him being dropped from the Manchester United squad.
He also faced fierce criticism from former Three Lions skipper Alan Shearer for his body language during United’s 1-0 FA Cup victory against Nottingham Forest in midweek.
The 26-year-old subsequently hit back in a first-person piece for the Players’ Tribune website, entitled ‘Who I really am’. But while Sheringham reckons Rashford needs to step up, the United legend also insists Ten Hag has an important role to play.
"I saw his article about how much it means to him playing for Manchester United," said Sheringham. "But it's not about that. It's about showing it and the desire on the football pitch.
"A lot of people were questioning his demeanour and desire when the going gets tough. I think he's now got to show some real resilience. He needs to get hold of the ball again and take people on. That's what he excels at and he doesn't seem to have been doing it recently.
"You can criticise a lot of players in this United team this year, though. And then you have to look at the management. The drive comes from the manager and if he's not getting his point across in the right way, then the players don't look like they're interested.
"That's definitely the case at United. They are obviously quality players - otherwise they wouldn't be at the club - but they need to be helped along. Sometimes you need an arm around the shoulder and others it's about driving them a little bit. Lots of players aren't playing to their full potential and you've got to ask why that is. Confidence is a massive thing. And if Rashford isn't getting that from the manager, things dip and before you know it you're in a little rut."
United were outclassed by Manchester City in October and lost 3-0 at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola's men also demolished Luton 6-2 in an FA Cup showdown on Tuesday with City talisman Erling Haaland bagging five.
Sheringham, a Treble winner with the Red Devils in 1999, has warned that his former side are facing an uphill battle at The Etihad today. "It'll be a tough day at the office for anyone connected with United," he added.
"They are up against a team in full flow, with probably one of the best players in the Premier League at the moment in Kevin De Bruyne - and a top goalscorer like Erling Haaland who looks very formidable.
"This United team is a bit all of over the place. The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing at times. There's no real pattern in United's play like there is at City, who have a real chemistry. It's a bit of a daunting task for United - it'll test them in every way."
Daily Star Sunday
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Rashford hit back at his critics with a first-person article for the Players’ Tribune website, but Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham doesn't feel it's the right way to go
Erik ten Hag must shoulder some responsibility for Marcus Rashford's poor form, says Teddy Sheringham.
The England international finished last season with a career-best tally of 30 goals. But he's been out of sorts this term, with just five Premier League goals to his name, and was spotted partying in Northern Ireland in January which led to him being dropped from the Manchester United squad.
He also faced fierce criticism from former Three Lions skipper Alan Shearer for his body language during United’s 1-0 FA Cup victory against Nottingham Forest in midweek.
The 26-year-old subsequently hit back in a first-person piece for the Players’ Tribune website, entitled ‘Who I really am’. But while Sheringham reckons Rashford needs to step up, the United legend also insists Ten Hag has an important role to play.
"I saw his article about how much it means to him playing for Manchester United," said Sheringham. "But it's not about that. It's about showing it and the desire on the football pitch.
"A lot of people were questioning his demeanour and desire when the going gets tough. I think he's now got to show some real resilience. He needs to get hold of the ball again and take people on. That's what he excels at and he doesn't seem to have been doing it recently.
"You can criticise a lot of players in this United team this year, though. And then you have to look at the management. The drive comes from the manager and if he's not getting his point across in the right way, then the players don't look like they're interested.
"That's definitely the case at United. They are obviously quality players - otherwise they wouldn't be at the club - but they need to be helped along. Sometimes you need an arm around the shoulder and others it's about driving them a little bit. Lots of players aren't playing to their full potential and you've got to ask why that is. Confidence is a massive thing. And if Rashford isn't getting that from the manager, things dip and before you know it you're in a little rut."
United were outclassed by Manchester City in October and lost 3-0 at Old Trafford. Pep Guardiola's men also demolished Luton 6-2 in an FA Cup showdown on Tuesday with City talisman Erling Haaland bagging five.
Sheringham, a Treble winner with the Red Devils in 1999, has warned that his former side are facing an uphill battle at The Etihad today. "It'll be a tough day at the office for anyone connected with United," he added.
"They are up against a team in full flow, with probably one of the best players in the Premier League at the moment in Kevin De Bruyne - and a top goalscorer like Erling Haaland who looks very formidable.
"This United team is a bit all of over the place. The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing at times. There's no real pattern in United's play like there is at City, who have a real chemistry. It's a bit of a daunting task for United - it'll test them in every way."
Daily Star Sunday