Michael Olise arrival could force Marcus Rashford into unwanted Manchester United duty
Michael Olise arrival could force Marcus Rashford into unwanted Manchester United duty
Crystal Palace's Michael Olise is a tempting transfer option for Man Utd but might not be the right one - especially for Rashford
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Marcus Rashford has markedly dropped off from the 30-goal standard he reached last season although still has three more goals than the barren Antony, who has failed to find the net since April.
The answer to addressing the general lacklustre form of these wide attackers rests in the players and manager themselves, and United should know from past failings to pivot away from the mindset that a new face will fix the cracks.
Given United’s stingy approach to the January market amid Financial Fair Play constraints, Olise being landed this month seems very unlikely unless a loan with an obligatory summer fee is agreed - which seems foolish given the other areas needing to be strengthened.
But if he does end up at Old Trafford then Rashford may be braced for a familiar request from Ten Hag. Rashford has shown that the left wing is his strongest position, albeit has hardly done enough this term to justify a selection over Garnacho.
He has been asked to play on the right instead with Antony hardly pulling up any trees. And on other occasions, as was the case last season, Rashford has been asked to lead the line, largely ineffectively.
United’s overall attacking threat sinks when Rashford is played as the central striker, but with Olise a winger only - usually seen on the right - the academy graduate may be asked to be the main attacker when Rasmus Hojlund is taken off or unavailable, should Garnacho’s trajectory on the left continue.
Ten Hag somehow needs to revitalise a frontline that has already had £157million invested into it, and probably needs more reinforcement. Olise is appealing but not the answer United need, or perhaps Rashford necessarily wants.
With Anthony Martial due to leave this year, United’s attacking priority needs to be getting in a natural central striker, be that to support or challenge Hojlund. Rashford has shown he is not the answer in that regard and Ten Hag should drop the idea that he can be a long term centre-forward alternative.
