WE’RE heading towards that point in the season where not only are trophies and relegation places up for grabs, but positions in England’s World Cup squad.
Gareth Southgate visited Manchester United’s Carrington training base last week.
But no sooner had he left followed reports that the England manager was starting to grow concerned over Marcus Rashford’s lack of game time.
That being a view his club manager Jose Mourinho, didn’t necessarily share.
Mourinho claims: “Because he had such an impact at the beginning people expect him to play even more than he does and score even more than he does and perform even more than he does.
“But it is not so simple.”
Rashford has four Premier League goals this season, one behind his league total for last campaign.
But his chances of surpassing that have been severely hampered, having not managed to start a game in the Premier League since Boxing Day.
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Back in Autumn, it was a different story; United were playing more expansively and he was given more of an opportunity to shine.
But a combination of factors such as his lack of consistency in front of goal and Mourinho’s return to a more defensive approach, has seen him fall behind Anthony Martial in the pecking order.
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Another obstacle for Rashford has been Alexis Sanchez’s arrival from Arsenal.
The signing of the Chilean, may turn out to be Manchester United’s gain in their pursuit of trophies, but it hasn’t helped Rashford’s short-term development.
Sanchez is the kind of attacking player Rashford will be able to look towards and pick things up from on the training pitch.
But unless he’s given a more frequent opportunity in the starting XI, we could be having the same discussion again in 12 months.
That meant for the second summer in succession, he might have to consider a loan spell somewhere else.
As is often the case at Old Trafford, people have been quick to point the finger and blame Mourinho.
But if his manager doesn’t feel he’s at the required level, he’s right not to play him.
We’ve seen with Scott McTominay, that the Portuguese will give youngsters an opportunity at the highest level.
But that there’s a tactical side of the game along with the technical one that his players must demonstrate they can grasp too.
United travel to London to face Crystal Palace this evening and Rashford may be given a rare chance to shine, but it’s in the biggest games that he’s yet to earn his managers trust.
In this column last March, I said that Rashford might have a decision to make about his immediate future at the club. Stay and battle for a place?
Or, look elsewhere in the sort- term for more regular football?
With Romelu Lukaku immovable as the main striker and Sanchez first on the list in the attacking spots behind, Rashford is below Martial, Jesse Lingard and often Juan Mata in a race for that final forward role.
A step away from Old Trafford on loan for 12 months might not be the popular choice.
But it might bring him on more than another season on the bench and in and out of the team, something that could in the long-term benefit club and country.
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