Marcus Rashford Faces Challenges as England Manager Addresses Struggles

England forward Marcus Rashford has encountered significant challenges on the international stage, as highlighted by England manager Thomas Tuchel. In a recent World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday, Rashford started but failed to make a notable impact, prompting concerns about his current form.

Despite being included in the starting lineup, Rashford struggled against Andorra’s defensive setup, which featured a back five. His performance led to him being substituted in the 68th minute for Anthony Gordon. Following this match, Rashford’s position in the starting XI for the upcoming qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday is uncertain.

Rashford’s difficulties extend beyond the national team, as he is also facing competition for playing time at Barcelona, where he is on loan from Manchester United. His only start this season ended with him being taken off at half-time, leading to speculation that Barcelona may consider terminating his loan early when the January transfer window opens.

During the summer, Rashford moved to Barcelona after a loan spell with Aston Villa in the latter half of the previous season. Barcelona has an option to make the loan permanent at the end of the season, but Rashford’s immediate focus must be on regaining his form.

In the wake of the match against Andorra, Tuchel addressed Rashford’s performance, stating, “He struggles a bit with numbers and with the ‘wow’ performance in an England shirt, I agree. But as long as he trains like he did and behaves and is active and alive in the group, then we will always trust him and push him and support him.” Tuchel emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and high-quality training sessions.

Rashford’s last goal for England came in October 2023 during a 3-1 victory against Italy in European qualifiers. After nearly a year away from the national squad, he has re-entered the setup under Tuchel, who expressed confidence in Rashford’s potential. “For me, he’s a left winger,” Tuchel noted, highlighting the need for Rashford to position himself effectively against opposing defenders.

The England manager acknowledged the challenges Rashford faced during the match, particularly against Andorra’s defensive structure. “I think the right side was a bit more active and found positions a bit better than on the left side, so I think he suffered from that,” Tuchel explained. He reiterated the importance of Rashford having an open body position towards goal, which would allow him to exploit defensive weaknesses more effectively.

As Rashford prepares for the crucial qualifier against Serbia, he must not only focus on his performance but also contend with the pressure of maintaining his place in both the England team and at Barcelona. The coming days will be critical for the forward as he aims to demonstrate his capabilities on the pitch and regain the confidence of his coaches and fans alike.