Former Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has criticised the club’s strategic direction since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, describing it as “reactionary” and saying the team has been left in “no man’s land” due to constant managerial changes.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Rashford, who joined United’s academy at the age of seven but is now on a season-long loan at Barcelona from Aston Villa, said Ferguson’s era was defined by clear principles that extended from the first team to the academy.
“You could pick players from 15 years, a full generation, and they’d all understand the principles of playing the Manchester United way,” he said.
United have appointed seven permanent managers since Ferguson stepped down in 2013, with Ruben Amorim replacing Erik ten Hag last November. Ole Gunnar Solskjær remains the club’s longest-serving post-Ferguson boss, lasting three years.
In that time, United have failed to win the Premier League, enduring their worst-ever campaign last season when they finished 15th.
Rashford said the lack of a consistent football philosophy has undermined United’s ability to build for long-term success.
“People say we’ve been in a transition for years. To be in a transition, you have to start the transition… At times I feel like United have just been hungry to win, so we’ll always try to adapt and to sign players that fit this system. But it’s reactionary,” he explained.
The England international contrasted United’s approach with Liverpool’s patience under Jürgen Klopp, who went three seasons without a trophy before delivering the club’s first league title in 30 years.
“To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it,” Rashford said, adding that frequent changes in direction make sustained league success impossible.
Asked if United’s struggles have been painful to watch, Rashford admitted: “Yeah, 100%. But not only as a player, just as a United fan.”
Written By Rodney Mbua
