On-loan Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford has criticised Manchester United’s lack of long-term planning and strategies, claiming the 13-time Premier League champions have been left in “no man’s land” due to constant managerial changes.
The 27-year-old forward, who made 426 appearances for United after graduating from the academy, joined Aston Villa on loan in January before sealing a summer move to Barcelona.
He believes instability since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 has derailed the club’s ambitions.
“We have been way below where we deem Manchester United to be,” Rashford told The Rest Is Football podcast.
“When Liverpool went through this, they got Klopp, stuck with him, and built towards success. We have had so many different managers, ideas, and strategies that you end up in no man’s land.”
Manchester United endured their worst campaign since 1973/74 last season, finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on European competition.
Rashford, who has scored 138 goals and won two FA Cups and two League Cups for the club, lamented the loss of the winning culture built under Ferguson.
“Back then, there were principles for the first team and the academy. Any successful club has principles that everyone aligns with,” he said. “If your direction is always changing, you can’t expect to win the league.”
His move to La Liga champions Barcelona includes an option to buy for €35 million, signalling he may have played his last game for United.
