Marcus Rashford has criticised Manchester United’s absence of a long-term plan, saying it has left the club “in no man’s land” following his loan move to Barcelona.
The 27-year-old, who made 426 appearances after rising through United’s academy, left Old Trafford in January for a loan spell at Aston Villa before heading to Spain. His departure came after he fell out of favour with new manager Ruben Amorim.
United endured their worst campaign since relegation in 1973/74, finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on European competition. Rashford blamed the club’s instability on the appointment of six different managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement.
He told The Rest Is Football podcast: “To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it. We’ve had so many managers, with different ideas and strategies, that you end up in no man’s land.”
Rashford contrasted United’s approach with Liverpool’s decision to back Jürgen Klopp through early struggles, eventually reaping success. He lamented the erosion of the winning culture built during Ferguson’s 27-year reign, where principles applied across the club ensured continuity and hunger.
With an option to buy included in his Barcelona loan deal, worth a reported €35 million (£30 million), Rashford may have played his final game for the Red Devils.