Scholes pinpoints surprise cause of Marcus Rashford’s struggles | OneFootball

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is with the England squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his future at Old Trafford remains unclear. The Englishman had a famous fallout with former head coach Ruben Amorim, and has spent the last 18 months out on loan.

Rashford initially joined Aston Villa on a temporary deal in January last year, before moving to Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer. The 28 year old was a revelation in LaLiga, finishing with 14 goals and 14 assists to help the Catalans win the league and the Supercopa de Espana.

Marcus Rashford Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

However, Barcelona refused to trigger the €30 million purchase option in his deal, despite the player’s willingness to continue his stay at Camp Nou. The Catalans even secured the services of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, adding to doubts regarding a move for Rashford.

While INEOS remain open to the Englishman’s departure, a recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that United are also ready to reintegrate him into Michael Carrick’s squad. Club legend Paul Scholes has now provided his views on the matter.

Rashford’s return a rarity

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes remained unsure about welcoming Rashford back to United’s squad. He said: “I think it’s only Michael [Carrick] that can do it, it’s only Michael.”

“It very rarely happens when a big player, like Marcus, goes to a big club on loan for a year, two years, whatever it is, they very rarely come back and play for the team. If anybody can get someone right then I think it would be Michael Carrick.”

Rashford rose through the ranks at Old Trafford and has registered 138 goals and 79 assists in 426 appearances for the Red Devils. His contract expires in 2028.

Superstar duo behind United man’s struggles?

Scholes went on to explain how Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could be behind Rashford’s recent struggles. He said: “I think the problem with Marcus is that he got influenced a bit by what Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi did.”

“I know that sounds a bit weird because it’s those two but I think he got really lazy out of possession and he thought, ‘I’m that good’, and going forward he is that good.”

“He can beat people, he can score goals, almost the way Kylian Mbappe does really. I know it’s stupid, again, to put him on that level but he won’t run back anymore. I think we’ve seen that with England games. United winger cannot do that. Going back through the years, they have to be up and down, up and down”

“I think it’s the same with a lot of wide players. They watch Ronaldo and Messi and what they’ve done to the game in sensational, but they don’t do the other side of it.”

“Now, when you’re not as good as them, you’ve still got to do that, and that side of it will put Michael off [Rashford] because you’re not in possession of the ball all the time. But Marcus has got that ability to actually destroy teams.”

Final Thoughts

Rashford continues to divide opinion among fans, although there is no denying that United could do with someone of his calibre in the squad next season. However, the Englishman could be a distraction for players and fans alike, so perhaps it is in the best interests of all parties that he leaves Old Trafford permanently this summer.

Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social