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Marcus Rashford isn’t ‘mentally the same’ at Manchester United this season.
That’s according to former Red Devils star Louis Saha, who won two Premier League titles and the Champions League during his own spell at Old Trafford.
Rashford was a key player for the Red Devils last season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions under Erik ten Hag.
He was then awarded a bumper new deal back in the summer, with the forward now the best-paid player at the club.
Marcus Rashford has scored just one goal for Manchester United so far this season
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Rashford’s form has regressed alarmingly in the time since, however, with the United star scoring just one goal so far this season.
That was in his side’s chaotic 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last month.
And former United hitman Louis Saha thinks Rashford is ‘mentally not the same’ amid his poor form so far this term.
“I’ve always said that, after signing a new contract, players go through a period where they’ve been trying to prove a point,” he told King Casino Bonus.
“After the contract is signed, players will have spent a lot of energy and they’ll face the backlash from that endeavor.
“Mentally, Rashford is not the same, even if he has the same potential as he did before.
“The link-up play of the midfield is not helping, though, and I would like to see him go further forward.
“United’s game often looks too predictable and they’re obviously missing players at the moment.
“I’m not sure if they need to introduce a surprise-factor with players moving around. That could help Mason [Mount] and Bruno [Fernandes] get more creative!
“I’d say Casemiro is the most forward-thinking midfielder at the moment – something that I find a bit strange.
“He’s the one who’s getting forward! That’s not normal.
“The squad needs to find balance, and once they do, Rashford will benefit from that.”
Another player who has faced scrutiny so far this season is Mason Mount.
The England international touched down from Chelsea but has failed to make a big impression at his new club.
United also recruited Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta and the Denmark international has started promisingly, even if he’s yet to score in the Premier League.
Discussing Hojlund, Saha said: “I think Rasmus has the quality to be right up there.
“He has an eye for the goal, too, even if he’s not getting the best service at the moment. He just needs to develop the connections with his teammates.
“Having played with Ruud van Nistelrooy, I’ll say there’s no equivalent! If you find a player like him, let me know!
“There’s no way he can be like Ruud, as much as I want Rasmus to do so.
“United also need players like Beckham, Giggs, and Scholes! Van Nistelrooy had those players around him and he was able to read the game of his teammates.
“It’s impossible to do that at the moment.”
Saha does think, however, that Mount must up the ante in order to shine at United.
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Louis Saha rates Rasmus Hojlund but thinks Mason Mount must do more at Manchester United
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“Nobody can read what Mason Mount can give you right now, for example. People have a better idea of what Bruno Fernandes can do, but he needs to find the right balance,” stated the Frenchman.
“United’s creativity shouldn’t only come from him. Teams will figure that out quickly, and I’d say United have asked Casemiro to do too much.
“Mason Mount has a lot of responsibility, but I’m not seeing evidence he can carry this out yet. I’m not blaming him only, but he’s causing a bit of a delay in attacking build-up.
“Defenders know how to make Rashford’s life difficult, that’s why you’re seeing him give the ball back to the midfield.
“That leads Rashford to doubt himself. It’s looking very difficult for all of them at the moment.”
