“He just looks like an unhappy player at the moment. He’s been like this for over a year. He’s like a shadow of his former self. There is a problem going on there. This might be the pressure on him or there’s an issue between him and Erik Ten Hag” – Les Ferdinand believes that a Manchester United star appears to be a “shadow of his former self.”

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford endured another unproductive game in the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, sparking further criticism of his performances this season.

Premier League legend Les Ferdinand questioned whether Rashford is facing personal issues, as the forward has struggled to find form for his boyhood club.

Rashford has managed just one goal in seven Premier League appearances, which came in the 3-0 win over Southampton in mid-September.

His latest underwhelming display against Villa, where he registered only two shots and 13 accurate passes, coupled with a yellow card, has left United stuck in 14th place going into the international break.

Ferdinand remarked that Rashford hasn’t seemed happy for over a year and looks like “a shadow of his former self.” However, there is hope that the attacker can turn things around as the season progresses.

Speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage of the Aston Villa vs Manchester United match, Les Ferdinand raised concerns about Marcus Rashford’s morale at Old Trafford.

**Marcus Rashford’s Premier League Stats – Man Utd Squad Ranking**

| Stat | Output | Squad Rank |
|———————|——–|————|
| Minutes Played | 484 | 7th |
| Goals | 1 | =1st |
| Key Passes Per Game | 0.9 | =7th |
| Shots Per Game | 0.9 | 8th |
| Dribbles Per Game | 0.7 | 6th |
| Match Rating | 6.61 | 11th |

The 148-goal Premier League striker noted that Rashford has appeared unhappy for over a year, hinting at potential underlying issues affecting his form. Ferdinand commented, via BBC Sport: “[Rashford] just looks like an unhappy player at the moment. He’s been like this for over a year. He’s like a shadow of his former self. There is a problem going on there.”

**Rashford’s Decline in Recent Seasons**
Ferdinand’s comments reflect a significant drop in Rashford’s performance over the last year, with the forward struggling to regain his best form.

Rashford made an explosive start to his Manchester United career, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances during his debut half-season, and continued to improve each year. In the 2020/21 season, he netted 21 goals, marking the first time since 2016 that his goal tally dipped compared to the previous season.

However, things have changed dramatically since then, and the 26-year-old is now struggling to regain that form. After a disappointing return of just five goals across all competitions in the 2021/22 season, Rashford bounced back with a career-high 30 goals in 56 matches, fueled by a strong run following the 2022 World Cup, where he shone under England manager Gareth Southgate.

Rashford’s struggles have continued, with just eight goals last season. While he did score twice in the League Cup against Barnsley in September, he’s managed only one goal in six Premier League matches so far. There’s growing pressure for him to improve in the coming weeks and months.

With United competing in multiple competitions, including the Europa League, domestic trophies, and the Premier League, there will be plenty of chances for Rashford to impress, either under Erik ten Hag or potentially a new manager, should the club part ways with their Dutch coach after their sluggish start, which has seen them win just three of their first ten matches.