England counts on an extra trump card against Senegal: Marcus Rashford (25). The attacker underwent a metamorphosis after the most difficult period of his career. Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has something to do with that. “Rashford must have an arm around his shoulder,” said Premier League commentator Tim Wielandt.
“He has been impressive since he came back to us,” says national coach Gareth Southgate with a broad smile.
Marcus Rashford guided England past Wales with two goals, including a superb free kick. After a year and a half of absence from The Three Lions, he is completely back to his old self.
Because the former teenage sensation ran deep, both mentally and physically. After the last European Championship, he was the target of frustration and racist messages.
The missed penalty in the final against Italy was the start of a solid downward spiral in the striker’s career.
A missed penalty that started a difficult period for Rashford.
Immediately after the European Championship, he decided to have himself operated on his shoulder, which had been bothering him for months.
“That was planned, but therefore not as easy mentally,” says Premier League expert Tim Wielandt. “It was certainly not a gift to join Manchester United in 2021 later.”
No, Rashford’s career has not been without problems since then.
Arm around his shoulder
Last season, the Englishman was able to shake the nets just 5 times in 32 appearances in United’s shirt. The fact that his team had a bad season – with Europa League football as a result – did not help.
Solskjaer supported Rashford in the eye of the storm. The attacker was criticized for combining his charity – which distributed free meals for children – with poor performance.
“The pressure on his shoulders was enormous and came from all directions. He had a hard time from the political corner, from the English fans and on the field.”
The fact that Solksjaer’s replacement Ralf Rangnick – “a technical director, not a trainer” – did not look after him was not a gift either.
Mentally, everything has to click together at Rashford.
Marcus Rashford planned a turnaround last summer.
“He went on a training camp with his 2 brothers, Dwaine and Dane,” says Wielandt. “No coincidence, because he values family very much. Mentally everything must be clicked together with him.”
He is lucky that with Erik ten Hag a real father figure takes over in Manchester. “The Dutchman is a trainer who really took him by the hand by giving him personal tips.”
That approach pays off: Rashford is already pulverizing his figures from last year. With 8 goals and 3 assists in 19 games, he is back in his teenage form. “Just goes to show he needed that arm around his shoulder.”
He is also on the radar of the national team again, for the first time since the European Championship he is back in the selection. “An appointment with Southgate”, says Wielandt. “He had a conversation with Rashford last summer about what he needed to do to get back into it.”
Rashford is more than “there” in Qatar. He is the top scorer with 3 goals. “Thanks to Ten Hag. If Rangnick is still a coach at United, Rashford would not be at the World Cup now.”
Whether the tournament in Qatar will be Rashford’s resurrection remains to be seen. One thing is certain, according to Wielandt: “He must always play in this form.”
