[Henry Winter, The Times] Marcus Rashford owes it to Man United to make most of his gifts

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Forward’s lacklustre pressing betrays how he’s lost his way, regardless of issues off the field. No longer is he guaranteed a starting place at Old Trafford – or England

Marcus Rashford has reached a crossroads. He’s still relatively young, 26, but his career drifts. He’s not a guaranteed starter for Manchester United or England any more. England have alternatives. United struggle, badly needing their No 10 in form and focused, but he isn’t. Rashford is losing the faith of the Stretford End, who loved watching a kid from Wythenshawe tearing up games but now mourn the decline in performances.

Talents such as Rashford get to reclaim the narrative, rewrite the headlines, and let’s hope he does. Only Rashford can stop the drift. Whatever the state of his relationship with Erik ten Hag, Rashford has a duty to the team, the club and the support to give everything off the field to be ready when the whistle goes, and then perform in and out of possession at the elite level that he can. He has the ability.

Any discussion of Rashford comes with caveats. Any story garners heightened focus because he plays for the biggest club in the country, and because of his elevated public profile after his vital campaign tackling child food poverty. The activist-athlete concept annoys some people, especially small-minded ones who prefer socially conscious footballers “to stay in their lane”. Yet many of the country’s schoolchildren, and their parents, owe Rashford a debt of gratitude for forcing an about-turn in government thinking. He was appointed MBE. He is likeable, conscientious and he is allowed a social life.

But even those of us who have long admired Rashford’s work on and off the field can see the drift. Last week’s trip to Belfast sparked controversy, not least after Ten Hag’s terse comment that he would “deal with it” and the sight of Rashford and his brother Dwaine Maynard, who is the player’s agent, driving into Carrington on Monday morning for high-level talks ended with a club statement that “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions”.

Elements of the story portray Rashford in a good light: wanting to use his days off to support an old Fletcher Moss Rangers and United friend, Ro-Shaun Williams, at his new club, Larne. Rashford spent time with the academy youngsters there. So far, so thoughtful.

Rashford doesn’t always think things through fully. How will a trip to a nightclub look? Is it clever timing with the team labouring? And with his own form poor? Perceptions matter. He was out on Wednesday night but his sympathisers insist he wasn’t on Thursday, and that he reported for training on Friday as expected but was ill. He was also ill on Saturday morning. He missed Sunday’s perilous FA Cup tie away to Newport County.

At the very least, the debate over whether Rashford was ill, ill-disciplined or both is all a distraction that Ten Hag doesn’t need. He’s got new co-owners scrutinising him, some home fans questioning him, away fans singing of his imminent sacking and a media scenting vulnerability. It’s frustrating for Ten Hag that progress in the cup, and good displays from Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez, gets overshadowed by the Rashford story. He’s trying to instil discipline and then this happens. Rashford is not a kid any more. He’s a senior pro.

Rashford is no longer guaranteed his England place despite his 59 caps, with alternatives available for Southgate for the Euros

The reaction of some United supporters during such episodes is often to reflect: “What would Sir Alex have done?” Ferguson would have defended the player to the hilt in public, set the hairdryer to full blast in private, and challenged him to improve. If not, get rid. But Ten Hag doesn’t have the personality or power base of Ferguson, United are short of attacking options and Rashford has a long contract. He’s in a strong position. Even a two-week fine wouldn’t hurt.

It’s sad. Rashford should be what United are about: home-grown, hungry, quick, talented, exhibiting swagger on the pitch and humility off it. He’s not at the moment. He’s lost his way. To watch him press is to see that. Rashford appears to have mastered the art of not quite closing down, also a technique practised occasionally by Arsenal’s Kai Havertz. They run hard and fast towards a defender on the ball, and then ease up. Either they expect the ball to be laid off or they don’t want to risk contact. It’s become symbolic of the drift in Rashford’s career. Not fully committed.

Melanie Rashford worked three jobs to support Rashford and his brothers

Rashford has to re-engage and reignite his career. He has a duty to his remarkable mother, Melanie, who made so many sacrifices when he was growing up, working three jobs to feed him and his brothers, to make sure he had boots and got to training. He has a duty to the coaches at Fletcher Moss and in United’s academy who helped him reach for the stars. Ultimately, Rashford has a duty to himself and his footballing gifts to make the most of them. Don’t waste them.

Because he is, at present. In 32 appearances this season for club and country, Rashford has scored five times. This time last year, Rashford had played a similar number of games (34, some central) and scored 21 times. Rashford finished the season scoring against North Macedonia in June with 34 goals in 63 appearances. He should have kicked on even more this season, pushing for truly elite level. That requires dedication, concentration and consistency.

Rashford has 59 caps, has done so much for England, but he must know he’s putting his involvement at Euro 2024 at risk, even taking into account Gareth Southgate’s loyalty and his ability to cover for Harry Kane. If Bukayo Saka has the right-wing position nailed down, the left is up for grabs now. Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze are enjoying better seasons than Rashford. Jack Grealish will be in the squad. Phil Foden can play off the left. Rashford is truly at the crossroads. It’s up to an underperforming talent to get back on the right track.