Ahead of last season, I wrote a post on my blog detailing the hangover effect that can occur for those (sometimes unfairly) painted as scapegoats within major international tournaments.
I focussed on the three young English lads to miss penalties in the heart-breaking loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, and whilst Bukayo Saka was able to bounce back impressively from the summers disappointment, and record his highest ever FPL score, the two others both had disappointing seasons at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho showed flashes of the player we expect him to be throughout the season, but the major disappointment was Marcus Rashford.
After three consecutive seasons of hitting double figures in terms of goals, and 26 assists across those seasons, Rashford could only deliver 4 goals and 2 assists on his way to his lowest FPL season score since his debut season.
On the back of the summer disappointment, Rashford opted for shoulder surgery, causing him to miss the first 7 games of the season. Upon his return, Rashford actually started the season well. 2 goals in his first three games of the season (both as substitute appearances) suggested that he could continue where he’d left off in recent seasons, but then things began to unravel at Old Trafford.
In between his two goals, United suffered a humiliating defeat, as Mo Salah and his Liverpool side destroyed them at Old Trafford. Following the impressive bounce back win against Spurs where Rashford scored, United were beaten by their City rivals at Old Trafford, before an even more humiliating defeat at Vicarage Rd as Watford beat them 4-1, culminating in Ole Gunnar Solksjaer losing his managerial role.
Despite starting the next 5 for United, Rashford could only provide 1 assist throughout those fixtures, before dropping to the bench, and only featuring for 15 minutes of the next two, then suffering another injury.
Rashford bounced back with two goals and an assist in his next 4 PL appearances, but that was to be his final contributions throughout the season, meaning he had no goal involvements since the 12th February.
Reflective of this, Rashford has been priced up at £6.5m for next season…. Buf if he can reach former heights, then he has the potential to make a mockery of that price point and be a bargain for FPL Managers.
Using the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area Comparison tool, I’ve compared Rashford’s 20/21 and 19/20 seasons, to one of last seasons FPL darlings – Jarrod Bowen.. and there’s no comparison.
So far, United have scored 4 goals in both of their pre-season games, and Rashford has started both, scoring against Melbourne Victory. He also starts todays fixture vs Palace, in his familiar role as a Left Forward in United’s 4-2-3-1 formation, suggesting that Ten Hag sees him as first choice, and will give him plenty of minutes to start the season.
It’s a pivotal season for Rashford, both for club and country. Another failure, and United will probably look to move him on, and he falls further behind in the reckoning for England… But if he gets back to the Rashford we know he can be, then he becomes a key part of a potentially revitalised United attack, and I’d expect to see him force his way back into the England squad for the World Cup this winter.
After a long break over the summer, and with a new manager, I’m putting my money on him bouncing back to his best. And with how popular Man U players can be in the game, I expect his price to rise quickly, so jump on now, whilst you can