Roy Keane believes that leaving Manchester United could be the key to reviving Marcus Rashford’s career, fearing the 27-year-old striker will never regain his hunger for success at Old Trafford.
Keane’s comments come amid increasing uncertainty over Rashford’s future at the club after a series of disappointing performances, with the forward even being omitted from the Manchester derby in which United triumphed 2-1 over Manchester City.
In an interview earlier this week, Rashford expressed his desire for a “new challenge” and the “next steps” in his career, fueling speculation about his departure from United. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane emphasized that Rashford’s recent struggles might require a change of scenery.
“Sometimes a change works for everyone,” Keane said. “It’s been going on for a couple of years now, there’s a bit of talent there, but maybe a fresh start, abroad or somewhere else, could do him the world of good.”
Rashford has been a fixture at United since he came through the club’s youth system and has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since making his senior debut in 2016.
However, his form has significantly dipped over the past 18 months. Since signing a lucrative new contract in 2023, Rashford has netted just 15 goals in 67 appearances, sparking increasing doubts over his long-term future at the club. Furthermore, his exclusion from England’s Euro 2024 squad has added fuel to the speculation surrounding his future.
Keane, who played for United from 1993 to 2005 and captained the club to numerous trophies, expressed concern that Rashford may have lost the edge that made him one of the most promising talents in English football. “When a player loses that hunger, it’s hard to get it back,” Keane said.
“Forget about the money; we know the great players are driven by more than just that. It’s about passion, commitment, and the desire to be the best.” He added that a change of environment could reignite that competitive fire, suggesting that a move abroad or to a different league might help Rashford rediscover his passion for the game. “But I don’t think he’ll get that hunger back at United,” Keane concluded.
While Rashford’s current contract at United runs until 2028, the speculation about his future continues to grow.
United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly stated that he would prefer the England international to stay, even though the club has been linked with several other high-profile forwards.
Amorim, who took over as United manager in 2024, urged Rashford to speak directly with him about any concerns, rather than airing grievances in the public domain.
“If this was me, I would have spoken to the manager directly,” Amorim remarked ahead of United’s upcoming League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. “But right now, let’s focus on Tottenham, that’s the most important thing.”
Rashford, who has been a cornerstone of United’s attack since breaking into the first team at just 18, has often been a fan favorite at Old Trafford, but his form has been inconsistent in recent seasons.
He was particularly effective during the 2022-2023 campaign, where he scored 30 goals in all competitions, but his output has diminished significantly this season. His struggles have led to intense scrutiny, both from the media and fans, with some even questioning if he will ever return to his previous levels of performance.
In addition to his struggles at United, Rashford’s omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 was a further blow to his confidence.
The forward had hoped to make an impact for the national team after missing out on a place in the 2022 World Cup squad, but the failure to make the cut for next summer’s European Championship has raised further doubts over his form and future prospects.
Rashford’s absence from training on Monday, reportedly due to illness, further fuels concerns over his readiness for the League Cup match against Spurs. He is expected to miss the fixture, heightening the sense of uncertainty about his role at the club.
Despite these challenges, United manager Amorim remains keen to keep Rashford at Old Trafford. However, Amorim acknowledged that he would have handled the situation differently when he was a player.
“If it was me, I would have had a private conversation with the manager,” he said, suggesting that addressing such issues internally would help preserve harmony within the squad. Yet, he also emphasized the importance of focusing on the team’s upcoming fixtures, with the match against Tottenham now at the forefront of their priorities.
Ultimately, Keane’s comments reflect a growing belief that Rashford may need to consider a move away from Manchester United to rediscover the form and desire that once made him one of the brightest stars in English football.
