Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have expressed hope that Marcus Rashford can rediscover his form after leaving Manchester United on loan. The 27-year-old made his Aston Villa debut in their 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Tottenham Hotspur, following a difficult spell at Old Trafford where he was frozen out under Ruben Amorim.

Rashford had been included in just one matchday squad since mid-December and turned down three lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs before securing his Premier League switch. Despite his struggles, his Villa cameo showed promise, with both Lineker and Shearer optimistic that this move could revive his career.

"We have to think about Alejandro Garnacho, who is best from the left as well and has so much end product," said Erik ten Hag ahead of Manchester United's European match this week.

His comment highlighted the ongoing dilemma he faces on the left wing, with Garnacho and Marcus Rashford seemingly in competition for the same position.

Ten Hag's remarks came in response to a question about Rashford, shedding light on the internal competition between Rashford and Garnacho for the left flank. Although Garnacho has shown his versatility by playing on both wings, statistics over the past 10 months suggest that he is surprisingly more effective on the right side. In the current 2023/24 season, Garnacho averages a goal every 258 minutes on the right, compared to a goal every 456 minutes on the left, challenging Ten Hag’s perception of him as primarily a left winger.

Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford has taken a proactive approach to improving his form by undergoing a personal training regime after missing out on an England call-up during the international break.

Despite a difficult start to the season, Rashford has opted to stay in Manchester and work on his fitness and technique rather than taking time off.

Rashford, 26, had a stellar 2022/23 season, scoring 30 goals, but has struggled to replicate that form recently. Last season saw a noticeable dip in his performances, managing only eight goals and six assists, which resulted in his omission from the European Championships squad. His struggles continued into the current season, with no goals for United so far, leading to his exclusion from the England squad once again under the new regime.

Manchester United fans made their displeasure clear at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag's controversial decision during their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. With United trailing, Ten Hag opted to bring on Amad in hopes of sparking a comeback, but his choice to substitute Alejandro Garnacho was met with loud boos from the home crowd.

Garnacho, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal performance, was expected by many fans to stay on the pitch. The supporters’ reaction suggested they would have preferred to see Marcus Rashford, who struggled throughout the match, make way instead. Rashford failed to trouble Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson and was largely ineffective in the attack, leading to growing frustration among the United faithful.

Arrogant, misinformed. naive - these words can be attributed to many millennial Manchester United fans and most of the club's Gen Z supporters. The experience of the past seven years has been humbling - United has not come close to winning the Premier League since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

However, these fans still get excited as if their club dominates the football world. They mock Manchester City as having no history; of "purchase success". So a history lesson seems in order. Manchester United Can Do Better.

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Ian Wright believes Jose Mourinho has damaged the confidence of Marcus Rashford during the recently concluded campaign. The England international made a strong start to the 2017/18 season with nine goals and seven assists by mid-December but he thereafter struggled to command a regular spot.

Rashford had sustained a minor injury during the festive period and shortly after his return, he was forced to settle for a substitute role. Ultimately, the 20-year-old managed just nine starts in the second half of the campaign and this appeared to have seeped through his confidence after his relative no-show in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

The doom and gloom scenario amongst the consensus of Manchester United’s support seems to be lifting after former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho was swiftly appointed to take over from Louis van Gaal as Old Trafford’s new manager.

After two seasons of sub-standard, ineffective, possession-based football with only rare forays of attacking intent that the United faithful crave, van Gaal was given the boot in favour of his Portuguese counterpart, despite winning the FA Cup, as United look to bring the Premier League title back to the Theatre of Dreams.

Louis van Gaal’s tenure at Manchester United has been blighted by disappointments, which has led to speculation that the Dutchman will leave the club at the end of the season.

United have failed to win a trophy since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, despite heavy outlay on transfers under the reigns of David Moyes and Van Gaal.