Former Man Utd striker advises Marcus Rashford to 'not copy Cristiano Ronaldo'
- Sean Fisher
- 10 June 2022
Former Manchester United forward Louis Saha offered Marcus Rashford some advice on rediscovering his form, which included not copying Cristiano Ronaldo.
Marcus Rashford's drop in form has been puzzling for many, with the 24-year-old going from scoring over 20 goals for the Red Devils in the 2020/21 season, to struggling to make the starting XI last season.
His chances of making Gareth Southgate's England have also hugely dwindled, with his poor form resulting in him missing out from the recent international call-ups.
The Manchester-born striker has even been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, but Erik ten Hag seems keen on trying to help Rashford rediscover his form.
But while the Dutchman will be tasked with trying to solve Rashford's struggles, former Red Devils striker Louis Saha has suggested that trying to emulate five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo won't help him one bit.
"I think he's a terrific player, I love him," Saha told the PA news agency. "I don't really understand why this happened because this guy has got it all.
"He's got all the quality, he's got speed, he's got arrogance, dribbling and can score goals.
"He needs to come back to basics and, it is strange what I'm going to say, but maybe not copy Cristiano Ronaldo."
Instead of trying to pick up things from Ronaldo, Saha is keen to see Rashford instead turn his attention to some of United's youth players, who are hungrier than ever to set foot on Old Trafford's hallowed turf.
"Copy some of the other team-mates who are young," said Saha. "You need get back to the young Rashford, having that simplicity in his game and running players, not thinking about whatever the status that he had or he has been given by the press or his entourage. He has suffered a lot from that."
However, Rashford was far from being the only poor performer in red this season. Manchester United finished in a disappointing sixth after initially hoping to mount a title challenge.
Erik ten Hag is the man tasked with turning around the fortunes of the club, and Saha was full of praise for the Dutchman's first impressions at the club.
"I think he is communicating well, that's been his strength, but it will be on the field that we will be really judging, so what I say doesn't mean anything at the moment.
"He looks strong, he has a pedigree to do what we need in terms of creating some dynamic, but let's see if he can provide the results."
