Marcus Rashford predicted own Manchester United struggles before contract admission

Marcus Rashford started on the bench in the Manchester derby last weekend. It felt like a significant moment considering Ralf Rangnick chose two midfielders, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, to lead United's attack at the Etihad instead.

Rangnick also started 19-year-old Anthony Elanga over Rashford. Rangnick's team selection promised to have ramifications and it certainly did. The dust was yet to settle following that humiliation when the Manchester Evening News revealed Rashford was considering his future at the club. The only surprise was that it had taken this long for Rashford to evaluate his position.

Rashford has been hopelessly treading water for some time now. The player that explosively broke through to United's first team now seems like a distant memory. Rashford has looked burdened, perhaps finally having succumbed to the pressure of playing for Manchester United. It was always Rashford's dream to play for the club but the reality of his ambition has now become clear.

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Rashford won't look back on last season with fond memories. The 24-year-old played through the pain of a foot injury and never being completely fit affected his form. It is normal and expected for professionals to play through pain but that does not negate the effects it can have on performance. The summer and the chance to undergo an operation couldn't come soon enough.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should never have started Rashford in the Europa League final. That night in Gdansk was arguably the worst display in his United career and starting Paul Pogba on the left might have made the difference. United lost on penalties. That was a destiny Rashford faced