Marcus Rashford reaches Manchester United crossroads as he looks to win back fans

This is not how it was supposed to go.

As all else was ablaze around him, with Manchester United lurching from one disaster to the next in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, one player in particular provided hope of a brighter future, when taking a break from feeding children off the pitch.

But to say things have turned distinctly sour for Marcus Rashford in the last year is an understatement.

No United player, other than perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea, can look themselves in the mirror and say with any great authority that they performed to their best of their abilities last season, but Rashford hit rock bottom.

His own people turned on him, seeing the once homegrown hero as the embodiment of a disinterested and uninspiring United side.

Rather than feel sorry for himself, however, sources have told The National Rashford has decided to take matters into his own hands, knowing that, as he approaches his 25th birthday, this season could be his last chance to show he has what it takes to lead a United renaissance.

Consistency has always been an issue for Rashford since he burst on to the scene with a double against Arsenal on his Premier League debut in 2016.

Much of that could be apportioned to various managers trialling him in different roles across the front three, while several injury problems have also hampered his progress.

However, after returning from shoulder surgery last October with three goals in four games, Rashford looked primed to finally fulfil the potential his fellow Mancunians witnessed from a young age, only to deteriorate quickly once again, as he could muster only two more goals for the rest of the season.

MANCHESTER UNITED SEASON RATINGS: David de Gea - 8. A candidate for the club’s player of