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Former Manchester United player Marcus Rashford, now aged 27, has sharply criticized his former club, expressing concerns about the direction the team has taken since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. In a candid interview on the podcast "The Rest Is Football", Rashford described the club's approach as "reactionary", resulting in a state of being stuck in "no man's land".
Rashford recalled the days under Ferguson, praising the clear principles that were instilled not only for the first team but also for the entire academy. This unified style and identity across a generation of players created a distinct "Manchester United way" of playing, he said, which has been lacking since Ferguson's departure.
The post-Ferguson years, according to Rashford, have been marked by constant managerial changes. With seven permanent managers appointed up to 2025, the club has struggled to find a true transition or clear direction, he believes. This instability has contributed to on-field struggles, including finishing 15th in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season — the club's worst ever showing.
Rashford suggested that the club has not really begun or completed a rebuilding or transition phase, leading to ongoing instability and underperformance. He expressed his belief that the lack of consistency has left Manchester United in a state of confusion, making it unlikely for the club to win the league.
Additional context underscores this instability, with managerial changes starting with David Moyes immediately after Ferguson, followed by Louis van Gaal and others, reflecting a period of decline and lack of sustained success.
Marcus Rashford, who played 426 games for Manchester United before leaving, is currently on loan at FC Barcelona, Spanish football champions. Reports suggest that RB Leipzig striker Sesko has made a transfer decision, but the transfer fee for Sesko could be up to 85 million euros. Rashford was last loaned to Aston Villa before joining Barca.
In summary, Rashford highlights the absence of long-term strategic planning and consistent philosophy at Manchester United since Ferguson's departure, marked by reactive decisions and frequent managerial turnover that left the club struggling for identity and success.
- Marcus Rashford, while on loan at FC Barcelona, has voiced his concerns about Manchester United's direction post-Sir Alex Ferguson, suggesting that the league might remain out of their reach due to lack of consistency and a clear transition phase.
- Rashford, reflecting on his time at Manchester United, noted the distinct "Manchester United way" of playing, a unified style and identity instilled by Ferguson, which has been lacking since his departure.
- In European leagues, Manchester United have faced ongoing struggles since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, with constant managerial changes, instability, and underperformance, as illustrated by their 15th place finish in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season.
