What Man United Fans Are Saying About Rashford’s Performance vs Astana

Manchester United’s return to Europa League football was marked with a win against FC Astana. It was a 1-0 encounter powered by Mason Greenwood’s 73rd minute goal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strategically chose this game to utilize a much-needed squad rotation, deploying a remarkable youthful side.
Their front three composed of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Tahith Chong.

While 17-year-Old Greenwood undeniably made the headlines with his goal, it is the incompetence of Rashford at scoring that has remained in the minds of the United fans.

Rashford was not at all comfortable in the striker’s spot, as has been the norm for quite a while now. To his credit, the Englishman made some remarkable runs and got himself into the right spots on more than three separate occasions.

However, all of it was in naught as his finishing wasn’t up to the mark of a United no.9.

Fans took to twitter to critique his showing and more than one expressed concern as to why Solskjaer was still deploying him there when it was evident that his brilliance lies in functioning from wide.

Rashford isn’t a striker man, he’s not clinical enough. Martial is so clear as a #9.

— . (@utdcynical) September 19, 2019

With Rashford people always play the hypothetical game. He's got this attribute imagine he could do this. I'm sorry did we give this pass with Lukaku? If he had a better touch he'd score more goals. Your runs off the ball are pointless if you can't finish.

— Ali. (@UtdAlii) September 19, 2019

My problem with rashford is that he plays like someone with no fear of losing his position.

That can affect a player mentally. There are simpler decisions he could make but he just does whatever he wants

— kenna (@kennagq) September 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/WillLUHG/status/1174920870873071630

Let’s be real. Asthma FC came to Old Trafford, they were one of the worst teams I’ve ever seen.

I’m delighted for Mason, but it took us 72 minutes to break them down.

Rashford man 😣 he wants to be a Kane, Ronaldo ect… they were sealed that game with 2 goals in first half!

— 🔰 Scott Ley 🔰 (@LDNRED_United) September 20, 2019

https://twitter.com/UtdAlii/status/1174781690394398724

Ole needs to bring Rashford down a peg after this game, so he knows he’s not untouchable. Greenwood is clawing at his heels for that spot in the side. I’d be tempted to play James-Martial-Greenwood against West Ham. #mufc

— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) September 19, 2019

This seems to be in line with a larger problem at Old Trafford wherein the desire for versatility is killing specificity amongst their talents.
Despite playing a starkly different brand of football, Astana held their own remarkably well, particularly in defensive spots.

Even there, goalkeeper Nenand Eric’s showings shouldn’t have deterred Rashford from scoring, something he ought to have done multiple times on the night.

Simply put, Martial needs to return to first-team football quickly so that Rashford can be deployed at his natural preference.