Marcus Rashford is failing to fulfill his leadership obligations at Manchester United, according to Jamie Carragher, who criticized the struggling striker for an ‘awful’ performance against Newcastle.
Rashford signed a new £300,000-per-week contract with United in the summer, keeping him at the club until 2028, but he’ has fallen far short of last season’s standards.’
The England international has only scored two Premier League goals this season, one of which was a penalty against Everton, and he was once again off the pace as the Magpies defeated United 1-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Supporters and analysts have lambasted Rashford’s most recent performance, highlighting a number of instances in the encounter against Newcastle where he failed to rush back and assist out defensively, even when he was culpable for the turnover.
United’s challenging season has left them outside the top four and nine points behind league leaders Arsenal, with several players, including Rashford, falling short of the required standards.
Carragher lambasted the United winger for failing to fulfill his leadership obligations as a “local” player raised in Manchester, comparing him to Anthony Martial, whom the former Liverpool defender claimed ‘doesn’t care’ about the club.
“It looks like big problems [at Manchester United]. I can’t actually believe where Man United are on the table,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
“Watching Marcus Rashford last night was an unacceptable performance for a few reasons.
“That lad didn’t play midweek in the Champions League, but I have been a local player, and it’s not easy, especially when the team is not doing well” he added.
“For Rashford, myself, and Gerrard at Liverpool, it’s your job to fix it and drag others up with you,” he added.
“Watching Rashford, he reminds me of Martial, and that is the worst possible thing you can say about him. A foreign player comes in and doesn’t really care. Rashford is now looting like Martial.
“As a local player, it’s your job to drag others up. You do not stop running for that badge and your supporters, as you are supposedly one of them,’ said Carragher.
The Liverpool veteran was also frustrated with Rashford’s current lack of form, comparing him to Son Heung-min’s performance against Manchester City, whom he complimented for being a “leader.”
“There was a player today; Son did not stop running. He got his goal and was involved, but when we talk about great players in this league, Son today didn’t stop running. He was a leader.
“What you’re asking for from Rashford is leadership. Those players have to look up to him, saying that is Manchester United.”
