‘One goal in 14 years!’ - Marcus Rashford likened to Anthony Martial as Roy Keane warns misfiring Man Utd forward that ‘he’s not a child anymore’

The Red Devils have plenty of international firepower at their disposal, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Antony also forming part of their attacking arsenal. Erik ten Hag’s side are, however, short on goals and drew a blank again in a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle.

Rashford – who has two efforts to his name through 18 appearances this season – was replaced just after the hour mark at St James’ Park and was caught on camera appearing to question why he is still with the Red Devils. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has said of the struggling home-grown star: “Watching Marcus Rashford, it was an unacceptable performance, for a few reasons. None of the players came out with any credit, but that lad didn’t play midweek [in the Champions League], so there isn’t any mitigating reason why he hasn’t been 100 per cent. I’ve been a local player and it isn’t easy, especially when your team is not doing well. When it’s not going well, it’s your job to fix it and you’ve got to drag those around you. I’m watching Marcus Rashford and he reminds me of Martial. And that’s the worst possible thing you can probably say about him. A foreign player who comes in, hasn’t done the business, doesn’t care - and that’s a fact with Martial. Marcus Rashford is now looking like Anthony Martial. As a local player, it’s your job to drag those other players up. If your confidence is down, you’re not scoring goals, or you’re not getting assists, no problem. But you do not stop running for that badge, that shirt and those supporters.”

United legend Keane backed up that point by saying of a man that netted 30 times last season, but now finds himself struggling alongside team-mate Martial – who has scored just 12 Premier League goals since the 2020-21 campaign got underway: “He’s a local lad, he’s got the mega deal and that is all well and good. I need a bit more - you run forward but you have to run back. Cover yards. He’s 26 now, he’s not a child anymore. He’s got to set the example. Is he on his own? Absolutely not. He’s one of the experienced players in that dressing room and if he’s not setting the example. We mentioned Martial and I know he’s an easy target. We forgive Martial when he scores a goal every 14 years. But if we’re 1-0 down to Newcastle and we put the ball into the box for you, you better get hold of that ball and get us up the pitch. But he’s just touching it and giving it away cheaply. I’m thinking, ‘You might as well go down the leagues’. Man United were trying to get rid of him a few years ago.”

United have slipped down to seventh in the Premier League table, while also sweating on European progress in 2023-24, and will be hoping to find a spark back on home soil when they play host to Chelsea on Wednesday.