Manchester United fans have sent a message to Marcus Rashford as the forward considers his future at Old Trafford.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News , the England international is weighing up his options after being left out of the starting line-up for the derby defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. Rashford has started just two of the last 11 Premier League games, with his situation being aggravated after being named on the bench at the Etihad Stadium.
The 24-year-old’s position on the bench was particularly noteworthy, given the absence of fellow forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. Rather than start Rashford up front though, United interim boss Ralf Rangnick instead operated with Bruno Fernandes as a false nine.
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Rashford did eventually make his way onto the pitch in the 64th minute alongside Jesse Lingard, but barely saw any of the ball as City dominated the second half. The hosts soon extended their lead to 3-1 through Riyad Mahrez, before the Algerian made it 4-1 just before the end.
"We didn’t have that many strikers available for the game today," Rangnick explained, "and for us, the question was do we play with Marcus to start with or do we play a false nine like Bruno and have one more midfielder on the pitch and make sure we win balls there and have enough players?
"It was clear they will always try to create numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch and that is why I decided to play with Bruno as a false nine."
Rangnick’s snub is the latest setback in what has been a disappointing season for Rashford. Having missed the first two months of the season through injury, he has gone on to score just five goals, with some fans being left frustrated by his performances, and the latest revelation on his future has not seen them all soften their stance.
Sources have said Rashford is training well and in good spirits, but concede it is not transmitting to his his matchday performances. The academy graduate is obviously not keen on leaving his boyhood club, but his lack of game-time and prolonged spell of poor form could also impact his England career.
Rashford is out of contract at United next year, although the club have the option of a further year. But with Jadon Sancho’s improved form seeing him start on the left wing and Anthony Elanga breaking into the side on the right, he faces a tough task to earn his place in the side back.
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