Jamie Carragher doubles down on brutal Marcus Rashford criticism ahead of Man United vs. Liverpool

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Marcus Rashford
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Jamie Carragher doubled down on his criticism of Marcus Rashford ahead of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

After a career-best return of 30 goals in all competitions in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge of United in 2022/23, Rashford's form nosedived last term as he scored just eight times in a largely miserable campaign for the Red Devils.

The 26-year-old's performances came under scrutiny in the 1-0 win over Fulham and 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in August, with Ten Hag substituting the No. 10 in the latter. However, with Jadon Sancho leaving for Chelsea on deadline day and no replacements brought in, Rashford remains first choice for the left-hand side of the United attack in spite of his struggle for form.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher has previously questioned how high United can aim while Rashford is their principal attacker, and he reiterated his concerns ahead of his old club's Premier League visit to Manchester.

MORE: How Man United vs. Liverpool played out | Man United's Europa League schedule

What did Jamie Carragher say about Marcus Rashford?

Speaking on Sky Sports in the UK, Carragher said: "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."

United's last league title came in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge in 2012/13, while they have not won the UEFA Champions League since 2009. In 2024/25, they will be competing in the UEFA Europa League, having qualified for that tournament by winning last season's FA Cup.

Former United captain Gary Neville feels there are still "questions to answer" when it comes to the team's capabilities under Ten Hag, not least when it comes to scoring goals.

"We're two years into Erik ten Hag's reign and there's still a lot of questions to answer: establishing a back four, a style of play and a system that suits the whole group and getting Marcus Rashford into form," he said.

"When you think that Jadon Sancho has come here for 80-million-odd, Angel Di Maria came for 60-million-odd and Antony has come here for 80-million-odd... that's three signings of 250 million pounds that haven't worked, and also they have an academy player here who is struggling.

"It's why I was against the idea of signing Raheem Sterling, even though I do think he's a good player. It's because we have four wingers with [Alejandro] Garnacho, Rashford, Amad [Diallo] and Antony. It's enough.

"We have to get the best out of the players we've got here. United have got to get back to doing that. It's the major question: how can they score enough goals?"

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Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News.
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