Rashford has struggled so far with just one goal in eight league starts this season (Picture: Getty)
Former Manchester United forward Fraizer Campbell has said that Erik ten Hag should consider dropping Marcus Rashford to motivate him to get back to his best.
Rashford endured a quiet game at the weekend as United fell to another disappointing defeat, losing 1-0 at home against Crystal Palace thanks to Joachin Andersen’s first-half strike.
The England forward has scored just one goal this season from eight games in all competitions, failing to hit the ground running after the stellar season last year which saw the 25-year-old notch up 17 goals in the Premier League.
Rashford was substituted in the second half of United’s weekend defeat after he was benched when Ten Hag’s side beat Palace in their midweek Carabao Cup clash, and Campbell believes the Dutchman should consider putting Rashford back on the bench to light a fire under the United star.
Rashford has found the going tough this season (Picture: Getty)
‘Sometimes you get dropped out the team, you think, ‘hang on a minute, I was star player last season, I did really well’, so it might change his mentality,’ the former United player said on MUTV after the game.
‘He might train a bit harder, it might be something he needs to spur him on to play well in the next game.
“He didn’t have a terrible game today, he didn’t have his best, he wasn’t involved in the game as much as you like to see him.
‘You need to get him firing on all cylinders, so whether the manager takes him out the team, as the best option, or playing him through this rough period, who knows.’
United finished third last season in Ten Hag’s first season in charge with Rashford’s 30 goals in all competitions a key part of the Red Devils side that won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final.
Manchester United slumped to another disappointing defeat against Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)
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However, the team have struggled so far this season and languish in tenth place after just three wins in their first seven league games.
Rashford, in particular, was singled out by Ten Hag after the match as one the players that needs to improve if United are to return to last season’s form.
‘I think he knows he can do better than he’s doing now. I’m sure it’ll come,’ ten Hag said. ‘He works hard, he will finish and it will come. It’s not automatic.’
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