Marcus Rashford has had his shot at Man Utd redemption but hasn't taken it - now Erik ten Hag should be as ruthless with him as with Casemiro and bench both

Casemiro was the main scapegoat for the latest humiliating defeat under Ten Hag after his two costly errors, but Rashford was not far behind him. He had no shots on goal in the 90 minutes and took fewer touches than Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Yet it was his lack of confidence, which at times looked like a lack of interest, which was hardest to understand.

The flashpoint came when Rashford was in the final third and was about to take on Ibrahima Konate, but backed away from the duel and started dribbling backwards. That led to a chorus of boos from the home fans, who have developed an increasingly fractious relationship with their homegrown star despite him being a fan favourite just two years ago.

Former United captain Gary Neville was in an unforgiving mood in the Sky Sports commentary box. "There's no confidence. He had a one-on-one with Konate and he's ended back up at centre-back. The United fans aren't going to let him get away with that," he said.

"Whatever happens, you still have to go for it and take the one-on-one on. He might not be having a great day, great time, but he's just turned back and that tells you where his head is at."

Ever since breaking into the United team at the age of 18, Rashford's career has followed a curious pattern of one excellent season followed by a disappointing one. His stunning debut campaign in 2015-16, when he struck eight goals in the space of three months, including a brace against Arsenal and the winner away to Manchester City, was followed by an underwhelming campaign under Jose Mourinho, in which he scored 10 goals.

He had brilliant back-to-back campaigns in 2019-20 and 2020-21, but they were followed by a miserable season in 2021-22, when he struggled with injuries and form. His next campaign was his best ever, however, when he scored 30 goals in all competitions and was rightly rewarded with a lucrative new contract.

He could not sustain it and last season ran into trouble on and off the pitch, scoring just eight Premier League goals and getting punished by the club for going on a drunken night out in Belfast and missing training the next day. Given what had happened before, though, there was hope that Rashford would bounce back.

There were positive noises about his attitude in pre-season and Ten Hag was impressed by what he saw from Rashford, saying in early August: "He is working very hard, very good, very engaged, very ambitious and motivated to make a good season."

But once the real season began, we have seen the same Rashford of the previous campaign. He missed a glorious chance to score in the Community Shield, hitting the post with the goal gaping after a dream pass from Garnacho. He then looked rusty in the Premier League opener against Fulham and botched a pass to Garnacho in stoppage-time, even though his team-mate still should have scored. Against Brighton a week later, he ruined two promising attacks by getting caught offside, provoking fierce criticism from Alan Shearer.

He was poor against Liverpool too, providing just one good piece of play when he presented Joshua Zirkzee with a headed chance. Talk of a genuine revival of form after his summer reset now looks to be wishful thinking, and we are seeing a very similar version of Rashford to last season. 

"It's been going on for 14 months. He scored 30 goals the season before last. I'd like to think he can get his confidence back but it's looking like a struggle," Neville added. "The game doesn't look enjoyable for him right now and that's sad. It's sad watching that kid because he has been a joy for United at times in his career, but it is getting hard work for him and hard work for fans to watch him."

Similar comments were made of Rashford's lack of joy last season. Shearer remarked after a dismal defeat at Newcastle that Rashford was "not happy" and was "lacking desire". Rio Ferdinand questioned his work rate and admitted he was not a leader, and needed others to motivate him and push him.

Those concerns have not gone away. Graeme Souness said ahead of the Liverpool game that he did not even believe Rashford had really had a good career. He also questioned his attitude, saying: "He’s a young man with enormous potential, but it looks like it’s a burden for him to turn up on a Saturday and play for 90 minutes. When I think about Rashford, I don’t think about the wonderful goals or his pace; I think about things like the game against Luton last season. He was just jogging around and Ross Barkley ran around him three or four times."

Such comments would be concerning for any player, but it is even worse considering Rashford is the most experienced member of the United squad and among the top three earners, alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

When United gave Rashford his new contract, they expected him to be their focal point in attack for many years to come, to spearhead what looked to be an exciting era under Ten Hag after finishing third in the Premier League. But little more than a year later, Ten Hag’s tenure is in crisis and Rashford is one of the main scapegoats for the team’s problems - and not without reason.

Carragher summed it up when he said during the Liverpool game: "I've said it once and I'll say it again: if Marcus Rashford is Manchester United's best attacking player, they're not winning a league or a European Cup."

The only positive is that United have real alternatives to Rashford, who is not their best attacking player after all, certainly not on form. Garnacho outscored him last season in all competitions and, despite his disappointing performance against Liverpool, has looked sharper than Rashford.

The Argentina international has thrived on both the left and right wings and could comfortably take the England forward’s position on the left again, as he did for chunks of last season. And that would make way for Amad, who has been knocking on the door of Ten Hag’s starting XI for some time and keeps making the most of his opportunities.

He has scored in two of his five starts in the Premier League, but was left out of the starting XI against Liverpool for Garnacho. When he came on, he soon looked like United’s best threat. He had more touches in the opposition's box than any of his team-mates despite only coming on in the 69th minute. Indeed, he had as many touches in the opposing penalty area as double goal-scorer Luis Diaz.

He was not afraid to take opponents on and Liverpool soon saw what he was capable of, leading Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo to double up on him to nullify his threat. Amad created two decent chances for Lisandro Martinez and Collyer despite coming on when United knew the game was over and many fans had already left Old Trafford.

Amad, of course, struck the winning goal in last season’s epic FA Cup quarter-final tie against Liverpool and had a fine end to the campaign, scoring and providing an assist against Newcastle after starting ahead of Rashford.

Ten Hag had no qualms with hauling Casemiro off at half-time against Liverpool and is known for his ruthless nature. He also, however, has a patient side and is willing to give players a second chance. He was right to give Rashford a shot at redemption, but the time has come to give Amad a chance instead.

Protecting Rashford has not worked so far, and taking him out of the team and showing he has to earn his place could give him the motivation he needs to rediscover his old self. Right now, Rashford looks as ineffective as last season and something has to give.