'Big worry': Paul Merson says he's really concerned about one Man Utd player under Ruben Amorim
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The Ruben Amorim era is underway at Manchester United, and the new United gaffer didn't exactly have the dream start at the weekend.
Indeed, Amorim'sUnited side laboured to a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday in what was a rather drab performance.
Amorim wasn't happy with Casemiro during the game, while Joshua Zirkzee was berated by his manager late on.
There wasn't much to shout about after this game, and speaking on Sky Sports News (28/11/24 10:30AM), Paul Merson has expressed some concerns about Marcus Rashford in this new system.
Rashford, of course, scored after just two minutes on Sunday, but Merson wasn't impressed by his all-round performance as a striker leading the line.
Paul Merson shares Marcus Rashford concern
Mersons says that he has a big concern about Rashford as a player.
The pundit says that he thinks Rashford is too inconsistent, while he also claims that the attacker doesn't suit playing as a centre-forward.
"I'm a great believer that the cream always rises to the top. We talk about talent, we talk about great players, but great players work hard and he's worked hard to get where he is. He's never had this situation where he's not first choice anymore. He needs to get a bit consistent," Merson said.
"I don't like him as a centre-forward. I don't think he is a centre-forward. Having his back to play isn't Marcus Rashford. Holding the ball up, he needs to be running with the ball at goal, not having his back to goal. I don't know where they will find space for him in this team, that's my big worry."
Marcus Rashford's record as a centre-forward
Merson says that he doesn't like Rashford as a central striker, but perhaps he should rethink that stance.
Indeed, while Rashford isn't your archetypal number nine who can hold up the ball in the way some of his predecessors could, his record suggest that he's at his best when he's a striker.
Rashford's goal return is actually better when he plays up front.
| Marcus Rashford as a left winger | Marcus Rashford record as a striker | |
| Games | 219 | 152 |
| Goals | 69 | 59 |
| Assists | 36 | 20 |
| Goals per game | 0.32 | 0.39 |
Of course, you're bound to score more goals playing centrally by proxy of the fact you're closer to the net, but the numbers here are significantly different.
Unfortunately, 59 goals in 152 games isn't a good return for a Manchester United striker.
The Red Devils have always had strikers who can hit 20 goals in a season, from Eric Cantona to Andy Cole to Ruud van Nistelrooy to Wayne Rooney.
At the moment, United don't have that player, and, sadly, it doesn't look like Rashford is going to be that man either.
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked to United, and perhaps that's a move the Red Devils should explore in the near future.
