Manchester United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim means the current crop of players will be presented with a clean slate to impress and make their mark.
After 11 games, United lurk 13th in the Premier League standings after losing the same amount of times they have won (four). Amorim’s appointment to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag halfway through the season means that the Portuguese must work with what he has got at his disposal, for now.
Much has been made of United and internal problems which seem to continually create issues for their managers. However, if Amorim is to steady the ship and make United great again, he has to get this team firing and – in order to do that – he has to get the best from Marcus Rashford.
The 27-year-old’s long-term issues with form have been well documented in the last 18 months. After scoring 30 goals in 56 games in the 2022/23 season, Rashford has struggled. He managed just eight goals and six assists last term, but has shown signs of bettering that record already this season with four goals and three assists.
One of Amorim’s biggest tasks at Old Trafford will be to get Rashford back to his best. After yet again missing out on a place in the latest England squad, the forward has been in the United States – to watch the NBA in New York.
However, in a wordless post on social media, Rashford has sent a message of confirmation of his hard work and dedication to impress Amorim when first-team training resumes next week.
The United head coach and his team will return to Carrington on Monday to kick-start their preparations for the Premier League clash with Ipswich Town – after being allowed some time off.
United play another 11 times before the end of 2024, a period of games that could be crucial in how their 2024/25 season plays out. If Rashford can find the form of before, Amorim’s start to life in Manchester could go better than expected, and he’s putting in the hard yards to do so.
Manchester Evening
