Ruben Amorim Warns Marcus Rashford: ‘You Have to Want It’ to Return to Your Best at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim, the new manager of Manchester United, has told Marcus Rashford that if he wants to return to his best form, he needs to “want it.” Despite scoring his fifth goal of the season in Amorim’s first game as manager against Ipswich Town on Sunday, Rashford has struggled to hit the same heights as his incredible 2022-23 season.

In that season, Rashford scored 30 goals, making him one of the top scorers in the Premier League. But since then, his form has dipped, with just 13 goals since the start of last season. Now, Amorim is focused on helping Rashford regain his form, but he says it’s up to Rashford to take the first step.

Rashford has been playing regularly for United, but his performances haven’t been as strong as they were in the past. In the game against Ipswich, Amorim played Rashford as a striker in his 3-4-3 system, but Rashford’s best season came when he played as a left-winger.

Amorim believes the striker role isn’t the best for Rashford and acknowledged that the forward is struggling. Rashford’s dip in form also led to his exclusion from the England squad for the European Championship in the summer. Now, Amorim is working hard to help Rashford, but he also believes Rashford must be the one to push himself to improve.

Amorim spoke about Rashford’s challenges after the Ipswich match, saying, “I will try to help him. That position is not the best one for him, especially in a game like that.” Amorim added that Rashford needs to take responsibility for his own performance, and only then will he be able to get back to his best.

Amorim also praised Rashford for being a true Manchester United player and assured him that the club, the staff, and the fans will support him. However, Amorim made it clear that Rashford must first have the desire to return to his previous form and take charge of his own recovery.

Rashford isn’t the only one at Manchester United feeling the pressure. The team as a whole has struggled to score goals this season. United has scored only 13 goals in 12 Premier League games, which has raised concerns about their attacking options.

Amorim made the bold decision to start Rashford ahead of the club’s expensive new signings, Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Højlund, who cost £108.5 million, has only scored two goals in 12 appearances, while Zirkzee, signed for £36.5 million, has scored just once in 18 matches.

Despite these struggles, Amorim remains hopeful that the team’s attacking players can improve. “We need to improve as a team, and these players can score goals,” he said. He also pointed out that players like Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo need to contribute more to the team’s goalscoring efforts.

The pressure is on Marcus Rashford to find his form again. Amorim has shown faith in him, but the manager says it’s up to Rashford to make it happen. If Rashford can get back to the level he was at in 2022-23, it will be a big boost for Manchester United. However, he will need to show the same determination and hunger that made him one of the best attackers in the Premier League.