Pundit bluntly asks Man Utd star ‘How are you going to get better?’, as advice mirrors Roy Keane concern

Andy Cole believes Marcus Rashford must look to his form at the start of his Manchester United career to get back to where he wants to be.

Rashford has found his form again this season following struggles to hit the back of the net last term. The striker hoped shoulder surgery last summer would allow him to come back his best, but it was not to be.

Instead, Rashford could not rediscover his best talents and has subsequently dropped out of England’s last two squads, having been present at Euro 2020.

But, after five goals in 10 games he is battling to cement his newfound form under Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag and make the World Cup.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag insisted on Friday that Rashford needs to work more on his finishing. The Dutchman lauded the 24-year-old’s “movements” and “combinations” but admitted he lacks a true finishing touch.

And former Man Utd striker Cole has agreed with Ten Hag, urging Rashford to get back to basics.

“I think as an individual you got to want to do it yourself first and foremost,” Cole told the Daily Mail.

“Marcus would know that his game has changed to when he got first got into the first team six years ago.

“If I was Marcus, and this is just me I’m talking about what I would do or what I used to do, I would go back to basics. If Marcus asked himself “how did I get into the first-team”, when he got into it “what was I doing” and looks at himself now he’ll know he’s not doing those things.

“So, if you’re not doing what you did then, how are you going to get better? Go back to basics.”

Rashford must focus at Man Utd

Cole added that he has heard fellow former Man Utd star Roy Keane discussing Rashford’s form this season.

“Roy has mentioned that he has lost the eye of the tiger and that he has taken eye off the ball,” the pundit said. “That could well be right but I can’t speculate about that part.

“But if it was me I’m going straight back to basics if I want to get back to that level. It’s all about individuals who want to get better.”

Rashford has scored three goals and assisted two others in the Premier League this season.

In the Europa League, meanwhile, he has found the back of the net twice and laid on a team-mate once.

United star still working hard

Rashford has proven with his work off the field in the past few years that he is humble enough to know when he is not at his best – and when he has not been working hard enough.

The latter criticism is rarely aimed at the striker, given he is playing for his boyhood club and vying for a new contract.

That is without mentioning the World Cup place that is at stake in the next few weeks.

Rashford just needs to keep up his momentum and know that Gareth Southgate picks on form as well as experience for England.

Rashford ticks the second box and will certainly pass the first test if he carries on the way he is.