Benni McCarthy reveals the real reason Marcus Rashford is struggling at Manchester United

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has failed to sparkle during the early stages of the season, with his team struggling for form in the Premier League and Europa League. And former Red Devils coach Benni McCarthy has given his verdict on why the player has struggled to make a positive impact.

McCarthy spent two years working with Rashford during his time as a coach at Old Trafford.

But the former South Africa striker departed the club in the summer as United boss Erik ten Hag rearranged his backroom team.

“Rashford is special - he's a special human being,” McCarthy explained during an interview with SuperSport Unplugged.

“He's pure-hearted and he's Man United through and through. He was Marcus [as opposed to Rashy] to me. I'm straight to the point and I think he respected that instead of me sweet-talking him... for other reasons.

“I was just a straight-shooter and I think he probably didn't have enough people in his life who are straight with him because everyone tells him what he wants to hear because of who he is. I was just normal and I think he appreciated that, so any kind of advice he would come to me - advice on anything. We still message each other.”

Rashford endured a poor season by his own standards last time around as he netted just eight goals in 43 appearances.

And he has failed to turn the corner this term after finding the back of the net in just one of his seven Premier League appearances. He was even omitted from the United starting line-up by Ten Hag for his side’s trip to Crystal Palace last month, coming off the bench for the last 29 minutes as the match finished 0-0.

Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 in the summer, with the former Three Lions boss opting to select other players ahead of the 26-year-old. And the United attacker has also been overlooked by England’s new interim manager Lee Carsley for his first two squads.

And McCarthy also spoke out about Rashford after the talented player was hauled off at the interval when his side drew 3-3 against Porto in the Europa League earlier this month, despite bagging a goal and an assist during his 45 minutes on the pitch.

“He didn't have a worry in the world, now he worries too much about what's been said, what's been done, what's going on,” the 46-year-old told On The Whistle.

“As time has gone on, he's at a mental block where he's there but not playing to his full potential. He needs to get himself back to the place where he can block out all the noise, refocus and play like when he was in the academy, when everything you do comes from the heart.”