Erik Ten Hag is Really trying to blend Him into the team but it’s seems it’s not working at the moment and we can’t risk our chance to quality for Champions league again”, Alex Ferguson urged Ten Hag to drop £70m Man united star now or He might cause the champions League spot again this season
Erik Ten Hag is making a concerted effort to integrate a key player into Manchester United’s squad, but it appears that things aren’t going as planned. Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly advised Ten Hag to bench this £70 million star before his underwhelming performances jeopardize the team’s chances of securing a spot in the Champions League this season.
Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign began with a hard-fought victory, as they secured three points in their opener against Fulham. The match wasn’t straightforward, but United managed to come out on top thanks to Joshua Zirkzee, who scored a late goal after coming off the bench. The Dutch forward, who joined from Bologna for £36.5 million in July, found the back of the net in the 87th minute, finishing off a cross from Alejandro Garnacho. However, the overall performance was far from the fluid and controlled display the Old Trafford faithful had hoped for.
Despite their victory, there are concerns about certain players’ performances, particularly Mason Mount. The former Chelsea midfielder, who joined United for a fee that could rise to £55 million, had a disappointing 2023/24 season plagued by injuries, limiting him to just five Premier League starts. Although he was given another chance in the starting lineup after playing nearly an hour in the Community Shield loss to Manchester City, Mount struggled to make an impact against Fulham.
Journalist Joe Lyons criticized Mount’s performance, labeling him as one of the “poorest and most baffling signings” since Ferguson’s era. Mount failed to seize the opportunity, appearing out of sync with the flow of the game before being substituted after an hour. While he showed brief flashes of the talent that convinced United to invest heavily in him, he missed a crucial chance in the second half and failed to deliver the kind of complete performance he often produced at Chelsea.
It’s important to note that Mount shouldn’t bear the brunt of the criticism alone. He did have some promising moments and is expected to improve as the season progresses. However, the £250,000-per-week star needs to step up his game if he wants to cement his place as a regular starter for United. So far, he hasn’t done enough to make that claim.
Marcus Rashford is another player under scrutiny. During Ten Hag’s first season as manager in 2022/23, Rashford was in sensational form, scoring 30 goals and providing ten assists across all competitions. He was widely praised by Ten Hag, who described him as “unstoppable.” However, last season was a different story, with Rashford struggling to replicate his previous success. He managed only seven league goals and often seemed a shadow of his former self.
This season, Rashford faces the challenge of rediscovering his devastating attacking prowess, which once thrilled United fans on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, his performance against Fulham didn’t inspire confidence. The Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst rated Rashford’s display a modest 5/10, noting that while he saw plenty of the ball in the first half, he failed to pose a real threat. Rashford inadvertently set up Mount for a chance that went begging, highlighting his underwhelming start to the season.
In summary, while Manchester United began their season with a win, the performances of key players like Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford are cause for concern. Both players have much to prove, and their ability to bounce back could be crucial in determining the team’s success this season. As Ten Hag works to find the right balance within the squad, the pressure is on for these stars to deliver the kind of performances expected at a club of United’s stature.Manchester United’s 2024/25 season has started with a win, but the performances of some key players have raised concerns. Despite their hard-fought victory over Fulham, Erik ten Hag is facing pressure to make tough decisions regarding his squad, particularly concerning Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford.
Mason Mount, who joined United from Chelsea for a fee that could rise to £55 million, has struggled to make an impact since his arrival. Last season, injuries limited him to just five Premier League starts, and his performance against Fulham did little to suggest he has found his form. Mount was substituted after an hour, having failed to influence the game significantly. His lackluster display has drawn criticism, with journalist Joe Lyons describing him as one of the “poorest and most baffling signings” since Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. Mount’s underwhelming performance has led to speculation that Ten Hag might heed Ferguson’s reported advice to bench the midfielder to avoid jeopardizing the team’s chances of securing a top-four finish.
Marcus Rashford, another player under scrutiny, has also struggled to recapture his best form. After a sensational 2022/23 season where he scored 30 goals, Rashford’s performances dipped last season, and his display against Fulham was far from inspiring. Rated just 5/10 by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Rashford failed to pose a significant threat despite being involved in the buildup play. His lack of sharpness in front of goal is a concern for United as they aim to compete at the highest level.
While the season is still in its early stages, the pressure is mounting on Mount and Rashford to step up their game. Ten Hag’s efforts to integrate these key players into the squad have not gone as planned, and with the club’s ambitions high, both players will need to improve quickly. The next few matches will be crucial in determining whether they can cement their places in the starting lineup or if changes are necessary to keep United on track for a successful campaign.