"It’s more of a mental thing" - Pundit claims Manchester United star is not doing well under Ruben Amorim

Former Manchester United star Michael Owen believes Marcus Rashford needs to improve his mentality under new boss Ruben Amorim. The England international is seemingly not among the Portuguese coach's first XI anymore at Old Trafford.

He failed to start the Red Devils' previous two Premier League matches against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal. Speaking ahead of the Manchester outfit's clash against Manchester City on Sunday (December 15), Owen told Metro about Rashford:

"With Marcus, it doesn’t seem to me like it’s an ability thing. It’s more of a mental thing."

"We’ve all seen how good he is many times so I don’t think that anybody has any doubts about his ability but, mentally, I think he needs to become a bit better."

He added:

"Maybe this regime will drag him along. Maybe he’s one of the players that you think,'no, everybody else is doing well, he might not be, and it might take time'."

"You’ve just got to hope that the new format, the new regime gets the best out of him."

Rashford wasn't at his best, even while Erik ten Hag was at the club during the start of the 2024/25 campaign. So far this season, he's made 15 appearances in the English top-flight, bagging four goals and an assist.

It looks as though he will need to displace Alejandro Garnacho on the left-hand side in order to find a place in Manchester United's starting XI.

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Troy Deeney rips into Marcus Rashford ahead of Manchester United v Manchester City

Marcus Rashford

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has become the latest pundit to launch an attack on Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford's recent performances for his team.

Deeney has primarily questioned the 27-year-old's attitude on the pitch along with his mentality, like most others. Speaking to the Sun about Rashford, he said (via Daily Mail):

"I have to ask him: 'Do you even want to do this? Do you want to play football?' I don't see a scenario in the next few months, or years, where he flips it on his head and all of a sudden comes good."

"Rashford looks like he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Everything is always everybody else's fault and his application stinks."

It does look like the Englishman is now playing a squad role under Ruben Amorim. He started Manchester United's 2-1 Europa League win against Viktoria Plzen (December 12) but was substituted in the 56th minute.