Rashford's sad ending

Rashford leaving Manchester United - something that not many fans thought of before.

The past two weeks at Carrington have been a tragicomedy. Ruben Amorim drives away from Manchester United’s training ground, and Marcus Rashford appears moments later. The image is a stark reflection of the England star’s situation: sidelined, isolated and the biggest face in the club’s “outcasts”.

It is hard to believe that the story of Rashford and MU ended this way. Once considered the new symbol of the "Red Devils", Rashford is now outside of all of Amorim's plans.

The relationship between the pair has long been strained, with Rashford declaring in December that he was “ready for a new challenge” just days after his last appearance for the club, and Amorim publicly stating in January that he would “rather have a 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than start Rashford”.

A loan move to Aston Villa was a temporary escape for everyone. Rashford did well in the Midlands, proving himself and earning a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel. But his heart was still set on Barcelona - the destination he had always wanted.

This summer, Rashford returned to Carrington after a private training camp in Marbella. His presence immediately created an awkward atmosphere. The message from Manchester United was clear: although Rashford was willing to train, he was among the five players who no longer trained with the first team.

The story of "avoiding" Amorim with extra practice sessions is like a game of hide and seek, showing that the future between the two sides is over.

Aston Villa is just a temporary destination for Rashford.

The irony is that Manchester United are spending £130m on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, while Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony – four players who were once worth a combined £330m – are being pushed aside. For Rashford in particular, this is an unacceptable decline. He was once the “jewel” of the academy, the pride of the fans and was earning a whopping £315,000 a week.

The problem is not just in form. Rashford seems to have lost his love for the ball at Old Trafford, losing the motivation that made him explode in the 2022/23 season. The current period, which should have been the peak of his career, has become a battle to find himself again.

Time is on Rashford’s side, however. He is not yet 28 and still has his best years as a striker. Barcelona – a bigger, more ambitious stage – could be the place to revive his career. If Barca can help Rashford find his inspiration and close the deal for £40 million, it will be a real bargain.

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham recently sarcastically said: "Moving from Man United to Barca was a step forward that he did not deserve."

However, given the current situation, Barcelona are clearly a level above Manchester United. Rashford has the opportunity to play alongside talents like Lamine Yamal, assert himself and regain his place in the England team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Who knows, if Amorim fails to turn Manchester United around, the next manager may want to give Rashford a second chance. There are still many chapters in his career, but it is time to move on from the disappointment of Old Trafford and start a new journey.

Source: https://znews.vn/doan-ket-buon-cua-rashford-post1570072.html