There isn’t any more time to waste. Rashford is anxious to get his Manchester United career back on track under new boss Erik ten Hag, and time is running out before the World Cup in November.
Rashford was once one of England’s brightest prospects, but his chances of flying to Qatar are now in jeopardy. He’s in a race against time to get back into the squad, which is so poor in an offense that they’ve only scored one goal in their last three games against Hungary, Germany, and Italy.
Rashford was unsurprised by Gareth Southgate’s admission over the weekend that he has ‘a lot of work to do’ to reclaim his spot after meeting with the England manager last month.
After the most difficult season of his career and the form of players like Jack Grealish, Tammy Abraham, and Jarrod Bowen, he never anticipated being a part of the newest team.
According to people close to him, Rashford is not in denial. Southgate’s decision was acknowledged, as was his effort to explain it. He also understands what he needs to accomplish to qualify for the World Cup.
Following Tuesday’s match against Hungary at Molineux, England will have one more meeting in September before Southgate chooses his group, so there is still time. As a result, Rashford is determined to make an immediate impact and persuade Southgate to reconsider his decision.
A vacation with his fiancée Lucia was blended with gym exercises, beach sprints, and personal trainer strength and conditioning sessions. In America, ball work will be increased so Rashford is prepared for his first session with the meticulous Ten Hag at the end of the month.
Rashford understands he paid the price for not having a pre-season last summer when he went against United’s desires and had surgery on a muscle rupture in his left shoulder.
After missing a penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final shootout loss to Italy at Wembley, he went three months without kicking a ball before returning to duty for a United squad in freefall. Rashford’s last kick in an England shirt came with that goal.
It’s also impossible to overestimate the psychological consequences of that mistake. Rashford lay in bed for days thereafter, and for the first time in his career, he consulted a sports psychologist.
He only scored five goals in 32 games for United last season. Rashford’s mobility worked against him as he was shuffled over the field by interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who even tried him out as wing-back on one occasion.
Rashford last played in April against Chelsea before suffering from bronchitis and missing the last three games. It has raised doubts about his future at Old Trafford, since his £200,000-a-week contract is slated to expire next summer, with United having the option to extend it for another year.