Rashford Returns to Old Trafford, but Carrick's Experiment Deemed a Failure
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- Marcus Rashford kembali ke Manchester United setelah masa peminjaman, tetapi kontribusinya minim: hanya satu menit bermain dalam dua laga terakhir.
- Performa MU di Premier League musim ini buruk dengan hanya satu kemenangan dari tujuh pertandingan, memicu tekanan pada manajer Michael Carrick.
- Posisi Matheus Cunha yang dipindah ke tengah demi memberi ruang bagi Rashford juga tidak optimal, sehingga opsi perpisahan permanen pada 2027 menguat.
Manchester United produced another disappointing result after drawing 1-1 with Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday (19/10/2025). The result leaves the Red Devils with just one win from seven Premier League matches this season, and more worryingly, Michael Carrick's experiment with Marcus Rashford in attack has yet to bear fruit.
Against Leeds, United had taken the lead through a Bryan Mbeumo goal in the first half. However, that advantage vanished after Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalized from a corner situation shortly after the break. United's defense came under scrutiny again, while the forward line failed to add a winning goal.
Carrick faces a dilemma in attack. The injury suffered by Benjamin Sesko forced him to look for alternatives, unlike last season when the combination of Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes impressed. Rashford's return to Old Trafford was initially expected to be the solution, but the reality has been different.
Rashford had in fact spent loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. At Barcelona, he impressed, but the Catalan club chose not to make the move permanent and instead signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. With no other club seriously approaching him, Rashford eventually returned to United.
Carrick enthusiastically welcomed Rashford back in pre-season and gave him playing opportunities, starting as a substitute against Hull City before becoming a starter in the next four Premier League matches. However, that trust has not been repaid. Rashford played just one minute in the last two matches, and did not even get a meaningful opportunity when United were searching for a winning goal against Leeds.
"The trust given has not been repaid with a meaningful contribution in attack," wrote Give Me Sport in its review.
Another issue has emerged from Cunha's position. Last season, the Brazilian shone from the left side, contributing goals and assists as well as second-line runs that troubled opposing defenders. This season, Cunha has more often been deployed centrally because Rashford has returned to fill the left sector, while Sesko has had fitness problems. As a result, Cunha has not been comfortable in the center-forward role, reflected in his limited playing time.
Give Me Sport assesses that returning Cunha to the left side is a step Carrick needs to consider soon. Meanwhile, Rashford is beginning to lose his place in the starting lineup after recording only six appearances as a starter. The second chance given to him is indeed worth trying, but so far it has not shown that he still has an important role in United's long-term plans.
Carrick is also facing a number of other problems, including the decline in Bruno Fernandes' form, criticism of Lisandro Martinez, and uncertainty over JJ Gabriel's future. Amid this situation, Rashford's future is once again in question. Give Me Sport concludes that with an unsatisfactory contribution and steadily decreasing playing time, a permanent parting in 2027 is a reasonable option.
The experiment to revive Rashford's career at Old Trafford has not gone as hoped, and the change in Cunha's position has also not provided the desired solution. If this trend continues, United must soon make a firm decision: keep Rashford as part of the long-term project or let him go for the sake of squad balance. The question is, will Carrick last long enough to see the change, or will Rashford's fate be decided first?
