Marcus Rashford needs two things from Manchester United to flicker back to form

Marcus Rashford is having a disappointing season with Manchester United, having played only 1,459 minutes and falling out of favor with interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Rashford started his first three Premier League games as manager when the German came in December, before dropping to the bench for the next five.

That isn’t to suggest that as a substitute, the England international didn’t have an influence. Rashford came off the bench twice in four days in January, scoring a late goal against Brentford and an injury-time winner against West Ham at Old Trafford.

Rashford, on the other hand, has been in and out of the United team since that crucial goal against United’s top-four rivals, rarely producing when given the chance. Rashford’s game time has been limited by the emergence of Swedish teenager Anthony Elanga this season.

The 24-year-slump old’s in form has gotten a lot of attention this season, to the point where Rangnick publicly backed him before the Manchester Derby in early March. He had this to say about Rashford: “He’s got a lot of talent, a lot of speed, and a lot of physicality. He possesses all of the characteristics of a modern striker, regardless of whether he plays on the wing or in the center.

“I’ll devote all of my efforts to assisting him in following in the footsteps of other players over the last three months.”

Rashford was a late substitution in United’s 1-1 draw with Leicester last week, but he was back in the starting lineup for Saturday’s trip to Everton. And the England international looked dangerous right away.

Rashford’s first chance was saved by Jordan Pickford, then the England goalkeeper denied him again when he blocked his goalward header. This energizing and upbeat start brought back thoughts of the courageous teenage attacker who came into United’s first squad and scored a brace on Premier League debut against Arsenal in 2016.

While he didn’t score, Rashford was certainly United’s most dangerous threat at Goodison Park, leaving many United fans perplexed as to why Rangnick chose to replace him in the second half. Rashford had launched a flurry of dangerous counter-attacks and appeared to be regaining his best form.

Rashford’s improvement on Merseyside might be attributed to his return to his preferred left-winger position. He’s had to play on the right side a lot this season to make room for Jadon Sancho.

Rashford’s most productive seasons in a United shirt came two years ago, when he scored 43 goals and added 27 assists in 101 games across all competitions. He played 67 of the 101 games in his favoured position on the left side of the attack.

Rangnick may choose to play Rashford in successive Premier League games for the first time since February as United prepare to face Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday. The England international will believe he has made enough of an impression to earn his manager’s trust based on Saturday’s first half at Everton.