Man Utd man branded a ‘child’ as Roy Keane suggests he ‘doesn’t want to’ play specific role
Roy Keane has branded Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford “a child” as he believes he played “like he doesn’t want to play up through the middle” against Tottenham.
United’s start to the season has not been convincing. They scraped a 1-0 victory against Wolves in the opening game due to a late goal, and followed that up with a 2-0 loss to Tottenham.
The two sides looked to have reversed their fortunes from last season, when United looked a promising outfit, and Spurs were way under par.
In both games so far this campaign, United forward Rashford has been deployed through the middle, rather than on the left-hand side, where he played the majority of last season.
Former Red Devil Keane feels it seems like the Englishman would rather not be the central striker following his performance against Tottenham.
“Rashford playing up through the middle again the usual stuff. He’s like a child out there playing up through the middle,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“His first few touches when he gets it suggest he doesn’t want to play up through the middle but you have to you got to do a job for the team tonight.”
The suggestion that Rashford isn’t particularly trying is unfair. He was United’s best player last season, and he gave his all then, as he always has.
However, it does tend to feel as if he prefers to play on the left, where he can cause more problems for defenders, and cut in to get a shot away, rather than the different style needed to play through the centre.
Rashford playing through the middle should only be a short-term thing, though. United splashed £72million to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, and they’re not likely to pay that sort of money for somebody they don’t feel is going to be a starter.
Unfortunately for them, he’s not yet 100 per cent fit, so somebody else has to fill the void. That’s either Rashford or Anthony Martial, and the former is a more potent attacker no matter what position he plays in.
As such, United are likely to keep playing him through the middle, but there’s a good chance that changes as soon as Hojlund is able to play a role.
READ MORE: Romano reveals Man Utd are ‘not done’ in the transfer market with Palace star on four-man shortlist
