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Manchester United ended up losing 7-6 on penalties against fierce cross-town rivals against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday after the game ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
The Red Devils had the chance to start the campaign with silverware but it was not meant to be as they were guilty of spurning quite a few presentable chances.
Marcus Rashford was culpable for missing two sitters, one in each half, and he needs to improve a lot this season considering the displays he put in last time out.
Erik ten Hag has chosen to keep his faith with the Mancunian but while he did try hard and ran around quite a bit at Wembley, his end product was poor.
Rashford missed two sitters
In 83 minutes, the Englishman successfully completed only 14 passes while failing to complete a single dribble during that time (stats via sofascore).
He won only one duel and lost possession five times. It was good to see the England international track back, unlike last season, and he blocked one shot and completed one interception.
But it was up front where the manager and fans will be expecting more from the 26-year-old. He should be entering his peak at this stage of his career but instead we only see the inconsistent part of his game.
Against Pep Guardiola’s side, Rashford completed a few gorgeous long diagonals but then proceeded to fluff his lines from an easy chance that should have been put away.
He needs to work closely with Ruud van Nistelrooy to improve his finishing. A top forward does not spurn so many presentable chances when his team needs him the most.
Needs to improve a lot
With Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho looking likely to play down the right, it is only Rashford and Jadon Sancho who will play down the left.
With Sancho’s future far from secure, it would have been ideal if INEOS had brought in some serious competition for Rashford as it would have forced him to get his act together.
After missing out on an England spot in the Euros and struggling in red, Rashford has a lot to do to win over the United faithful this term. He had the chance to begin doing so on Saturday but could not take his chances.
Fulham lies in wait in the Premier League opener. Hopefully, Ten Hag can get his wide man to start firing, especially with Rasmus Hojlund not available and Joshua Zirkzee yet to make his debut.
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