Ruben Amorim must do what Erik ten Hag couldn’t and get Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford back to their best at Manchester United, says Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. With the England forward failing to register a shot in his first three league games this season, and the United captain having had ill-discipline issues on the field of late, the normally vital Rashford and Fernandes have endured sub-par seasons so far.
The duo, along with the majority of their Red Devils team-mates, didn't do enough to save manager Ten Hag from the sack. A damaging 2-1 defeat at West Ham proved to be the dagger for the Dutchman, and Amorim – who favours a more unusual three-man defence – is now set to arrive on November 11, with drastic changes to the team expected, and frankly, needed.
Former Chelsea goalscorer Hasselbaink believes that the 39-year-old should prioritise revitalising Fernandes and Rashford, as Amorim will need to have his top players firing if he is to be a success at Old Trafford.
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“I think I expect more from Rashford and from Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United. I’m expecting more from Marcus Rashford because I know Rashford can do much more,” Hasselbaink began, speaking to Lucky Block.
“Marcus Rashford is an exceptional player – we just haven’t seen enough of it – and I also think that he is the type of player that should be a leader within the Manchester United team.”
27-year-old Rashford was the star man of Ten Hag’s 2022/23 debut campaign. He scored 30 goals in all competitions - 17 in the Premier League - and helped his side to a top-four finish and EFL Cup triumph.
However, last season saw a significant drop-off, with the Englishman registering just eight goals and his side finishing an all-time Premier League worst eighth place. The new campaign has been no different, and club captain Fernandes has also started out poorly, earning himself two red cards within the space of a week earlier in the campaign - albeit the first in a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham was rescinded.
“He [Rashford] has the personality and the charisma to do that [be a leader] – he can carry that team and take the responsibility as the club’s main goal scorer,” Hasselbaink added. “He has that in his locker. Hopefully, we can see him start to show the talent that he has this season because there is still plenty of time for him to have a big, big impact.
“With a new manager coming into the club, the first thing he will be looking to do is to get more out of his big players, and that starts with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.”
Amorim's first outing will be at Ipswich Town on Sunday, November 24, giving him a chance to get off to a good start in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if Rashford in particular forms part of his attack early on.
