Bryan Robson has delivered a stark message to Marcus Rashford that his mindset must transform if he wants to secure his Manchester United future. The 27-year-old is currently thriving during a season-long loan spell with Barcelona after tumbling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
At the Catalan club, Rashford has netted five times and provided seven assists in 13 appearances across all competitions so far. And whilst the attacker is experiencing a renaissance under Hansi Flick, it might spell trouble for the player when the campaign concludes.
Although Barcelona possess a £28million purchase option for the England star when his temporary deal expires next summer, they may opt against triggering it.
This is because they already boast exceptional talent on both wings in Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, alongside fierce competition for starting berths.
Should Rashford make his way back to Old Trafford, there’s no certainty he would earn a spot in Amorim’s first team, despite his enhanced displays on Spanish territory.
Nevertheless, United icon Robson reckons that an adjustment in his approach would significantly assist him in reclaiming his position at his childhood club.
Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, Robson said: “The thing is for me, Marcus lost his focus. Commentators annoy me a wee bit where they say that Marcus is enjoying his football and they were saying that at Villa. Well, when you look at it, he didn’t do that well at Villa because he didn’t score that many goals.
“Marcus is a great talent and everything, but I do think his attitude’s got to change if he does come back to United. Barcelona is different because we always know that Barcelona and Real Madrid are going to be dominant in their league.
“So for a player like Marcus playing with the top players like Barcelona have, he will improve and he will start enjoying his football a little bit better if he were to come back to United. I can’t believe that people say that he’s enjoying the two clubs that he left us for and that you can’t enjoy your football at Man United. That seems crazy to me.”
Paul Scholes has also raised questions with regards to Rashford’s attitude towards his parent club, reaching an agreement with Robson that Rashford’s attitude has to change if he is to return to United. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, the United and England legend said: “I really struggle to feel happy for Marcus Rashford.
“Mainly because of his attitude. His attitude towards Man United towards the end was disgraceful.
“The amount of times I saw him walking because he wanted to leave…His whole demeanour about him was a disgrace. I think he quit on Man Utd.
“When you quit once, you’ll quit again. He was late last night [for Barcelona]. He wont get away with that for long at Barca. There’s absolutely no chance. How can you sleep in these days? Your phone, f***ng alarm, whatever.
“How can you sleep in? He’s definitely got the talent to be [one of the best players in the world]. But he’ll never have the mentality.”