October 2nd 2024.
The start of the Premier League season has been a rough one for Marcus Rashford, who seems to be struggling to find his usual form. According to Micah Richards, Manchester United only has four players who could make it into the starting lineup of the top six teams in the league. This has been evident in their recent 3-0 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford, making it only their second win in six league games under manager Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have only managed to score five goals in these six games, showing a lack of fluidity and consistency in their attacking play. As a result, they currently sit at a disappointing 12th place in the league table. Richards, a former Premier League champion, believes that only a select few of Ten Hag's players are good enough to compete at the highest level. He specifically highlighted Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Lisandro Martinez as the exceptions.
During an episode of The Rest is Football, Richards expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that "Mainoo and Fernandes would definitely make it into a top six side. Rashford, when he's at his best, and Martinez as well. Although he has been plagued with injuries, he has shown his quality when given the opportunity." It's clear that these four players stand out among the rest of the United squad.
However, it's important to note that United also has other talented players such as Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen. But Richards believes that the pressure of playing for a struggling giant like Manchester United is getting to them. "When you step onto the pitch, you have to perform for yourself. You can't afford to be the worst player out there," he explained. Having played for Aston Villa, Richards knows firsthand the intense scrutiny that comes with being a part of a team like United.
With no wins in their last three games, United will need to bounce back quickly. They face Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by a crucial match against Aston Villa on Sunday. Ten Hag's job is on the line, with bookmakers already making him the favorite to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked. But with the talent at their disposal, United has the potential to turn things around. It's just a matter of finding consistency and dealing with the pressure that comes with playing for such a prestigious club.
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