An inconsistent environment - Rashford blames Manchester United ‘Inconsistency’ for career struggles

Former Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has hinted that the club’s instability and frequent managerial changes were a major reason behind his struggles to maintain top form during his time at Old Trafford.

The England international, who joined Barcelona on loan last summer to revive his career, made the revelation during an interview with ITV, where he reflected on his fluctuating performances and the challenges of consistency.

Rashford, who has twice scored 17 Premier League goals in a season, admitted that despite his desire to perform at the highest level every week, the environment at Manchester United made that difficult.

“For sure, consistency is a massive part of it. I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent.

“When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything, not just sport, you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train.

“We have just had so many changes so far in my career, but I have to look forward and that is definitely one of the things I want to put right and improve on to be at my best more often,” Rashford said.

Rashford made his senior debut under Louis van Gaal in 2016 and went on to play under a long list of United managers, including José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Ralf Rangnick, and Erik ten Hag, alongside caretaker spells under Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

By the time Ruben Amorim took over, Rashford was already enduring his sixth managerial change, an unusually high number for a player still in his twenties.

It was under Solskjær that Rashford enjoyed the best spell of his United career, netting 55 goals and 36 assists in 135 appearances, as the Norwegian manager’s attacking style seemed to unlock his full potential.

Now playing under Hansi Flick at Barcelona, Rashford appears rejuvenated. The La Liga champions reportedly have an option to make his stay permanent when his loan expires next summer, a move that both parties are said to be interested in.