Michael Owen has urged Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to improve his mental approach to rediscover his form, especially ahead of the crucial derby against Manchester City.
Rashford initially showed promise under new manager Ruben Amorim, scoring United’s first goal in the new era against Ipswich Town and bagging two more in a dominant 4-0 win over Everton.
However, his resurgence was short-lived as he fell out of Amorim’s starting XI for key Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Despite being handed a start in the Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen, Rashford’s struggles continued.
He was substituted with over 30 minutes to play after failing to make an impact in a central role.
Ahead of one of United’s biggest games of the season, Owen stressed that Rashford’s issue lies in his mindset, not his ability.
“With Marcus, it doesn’t seem to me like it’s an ability thing; it’s more of a mental thing,” Owen told Metro.
“We’ve all seen how good he can be, so there’s no doubt about his ability. Mentally, though, he needs to improve. Maybe this new regime will help him. Sometimes players need time, especially when others are adapting faster. You just hope this new system and manager get the best out of him.”
While Rashford’s form remains a concern, Owen expressed optimism about Amorim’s early impact.
Since taking charge in November, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has won three of his first six games and brought a clear attacking structure to the team.
“At the moment, I’d sit back and enjoy it,” Owen added. “They already look far better than the previous team. You can see they create more chances, score more goals, and there’s a clear plan for how they’ll develop.”
“United fans have been patient for so long, but I think it’s already exciting—and it’ll only get better. Giving this guy some time is the right move.”
Owen’s comments highlight both the hope surrounding Amorim’s new approach and the need for Rashford to adapt mentally to regain his place in the side.
The derby against Manchester City will be a critical test for both player and manager.