Erik ten Hag has proven he can rejuvenate Marcus Rashford career at Manchester United

It shouldn't have gone like this. Marcus Rashford was all set to take on the world and looked like coming on top.

After breaking into the Manchester United first-team in 2016 his goal tallies had been steadily increasing. Seven in his first campaign, then 11 and 13 in each of the next two seasons before a dramatic increase to 22 in 2019/20 before hitting a single goal less last season. Now, however, his progress has come to a screeching halt.

Rashford currently has just five goals to his name this season and is on course to notch his lowest return since making his debut in the senior side — even fewer than his first campaign in which he made just 18 appearances. It's been a dramatic decline, one which has been sad and frustrating to witness.

Whether it be a lack of confidence, shortness of fitness after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer, dwindling passion in a season that has long been a write-off or not taking to Ralf Rangnick's methods — the simple fact that Rashford's stock has never been lower. United have suffered as a result.

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Though he is far from the only culprit responsible for another disastrous campaign, United have lost most of the firepower and excitement they had last season and Rashford's struggles have played a major role in that. It's not as though he has been playing well and been unable to hit the target; his all-round play has been disappointing too.

At times it looks as though Rashford has forgotten the basics. Simple passes go out of play, touches are heavy and fall to the opposition, runs aren't being made and his head is dropping. Rashford looks like a player who's lost belief in himself and his