Roy Keane has identified an out-of-form Manchester United player who needs "an old-fashioned kick up the arse" to help him improve his current game.
A handful of United players have struggled this season but perhaps the most-talked about is Marcus Rashford, who has struggled to replicate his efforts from the 2022/23 campaign.
After contributing 41 goals in 56 games last term, Rashford has notched just eight goals and six assists in 36 games – a dip in form that hasn't gone unnoticed.
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In fact, during the latest episode of Stick to Football – brought to you by Sky Bet – the panel of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane gave their brutally honest thoughts on the matter.
Gary Neville believes something isn't right about Rashford.
“Marcus Rashford, I don’t know how to say this but to me there’s something not right. He’s not right, and it’s not just a case of him not playing well, he doesn’t look happy," he said.
"I’m looking at him and thinking, I am worried about him. We know there’s been a couple of instances this season, he’s come under pressure and his form has been bad, but I look at him and think that’s not right.
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"It’s not a lad that’s grown up with the freedom and spirit of playing for Manchester United as a kid.”
Roy Keane, meanwhile, thinks someone needs to give Rashford a “good old kick up the arse” as he continues to struggle for form.
“There’s no question mark about his [Marcus Rashford’s] ability, he’s outstanding – but there’s something amiss with him," the former United captain said.
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"We’ve had these conversations every few months – a player can have an off-spell or a dip, but he’s certainly not enjoying his football.
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried about him, but you look at him and there’s something amiss. The people around him, whether it be family or his manager, who’s on his case every day.
"Who is giving him an old-fashioned kick up the arse and saying ‘Come on, we need more from you’. If you want to be this leader, and you’re on the big contracts, then there is that responsibility."
Keane added: “I don’t think that is happening, I don’t think there is anybody on his case. That doesn’t mean to say he still can’t produce and start running a bit more. He’s been at the club a long time, since he was a kid.”
Rio Ferdinand believes Rashford has big decisions to make to save his United career.
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“It’s a pivotal moment in his [Marcus Rashford’s] career now. He’s not a kid anymore. A lot of people look at potential and talent. He’s 26 - what were you [the panel] doing at 26?
"We were still making mistakes, don’t get me wrong, but on the football pitch you had it locked down, you knew what you were doing, you knew what you were about, who you were.
“There’s a big decision to make for him. From him, he’s got to look at who is around him. I know his family play a big part with him, which is great, but who are the external people around that?
"Are they the right people, are they enabling him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors, or are they saying, ‘Look at yourself, and be accountable for what you are doing’? He needs to look at that and own that and make big decisions.
Ferdinand added: “When I joined Leeds United, I could’ve gone to Chelsea, and they were probably the club I preferred to go to at the time.
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"The reason I left [West Ham] to go to Leeds was because it was out of London, and the external people around me, I needed to get away from. He’ll need to either decide to get rid of them and stay in Manchester or leave Manchester and get rid of those people.
"It might be an accumulation of different things, but that could be a big part because the people around you do have a big influence on how you are – especially accountability.”
Featured Image Credit: The Overlap/YouTube - Getty ImagesTopics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Premier League, Marcus Rashford, Chelsea