Marcus Rashford set Ruben Amorim challenge after sending early message to new Man Utd boss
Marcus Rashford must prove he can be a leader to Ruben Amorim after the forward's difficult start to the season left former professionals questioning his attitude
Marcus Rashford has been warned he must quickly prove he can be a leading influence for Manchester United's young players.
And former striker Teddy Sheringham is calling for the struggling Rashford to immediately buy into new manager Ruben Amorim's methods.
Rashford copped flak for travelling to New York last week as he continues to be left out of the England frame following a season so far in which he has continuously flattered to deceive.
The 27-year-old has scored only one Premier League goal so far this season and was last week criticised by pundit Troy Deeney as being a bad influence on United's less experienced stars because of an alleged attitude problem. But Sheringham says Rashford must now stand up and be counted.
"I’m looking at these United players, and they might not know it or think it, but they need to be led. Marcus Rashford needs to look at the manager and think, ‘I like the way he’s talking; I like his vibe, I understand exactly what he wants, and we need to go out and do it. I'm going to lead from the front,’" Sheringham told Best Offshore Sportsbooks.
"Younger players would then look at Rashford and think, ‘If you're going to show me how it's done, I'm following you as well. Come on, let's all go together.’ [Amorim] has got to get the top players on his side very, very quickly.
"Rashford is your main example because everyone looks to him. He's the one that's going to score your goals, going to make goals, and he's the one that people look at and go, ‘He ain't at it, is he?’
"So he needs to get him on board and get him leading from the front. He's not a young lad anymore. He's an experienced player. It's funny how quickly you change from a young lad to an experienced ever-present player. All of a sudden, you're experienced, you look around the changing room and you're expected to lead.
"He's played for England many times and he should be leading from the front and he's not doing that at Man United. That needs to change. He's got to get the top players on his side very, very quickly."
Amorim will take charge of United for the first time against Ipswich at Portman Road and is expected to immediately shift to the 3-4-3 system he preferred at Sporting Lisbon.
Rashford, who has just four goals and three assists in 18 matches this season and remains unable to win an England recall, cannot be assured of his starting spot.
United remain 13th in the league table after 11 games with an equal goal difference. They are 13 points behind leaders Liverpool and only 11 clear of bottom-placed Southampton.
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