Ryan Giggs has told Marcus Rashford he must work harder to win back the hearts of Manchester United supporters. The advice comes after Rashford returned to Old Trafford following loan spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona.
The England striker left his hometown club after a bust-up with former manager Ruben Amorim. But after a permanent move to Barcelona fell through, Rashford is being reintegrated into Michael Carrick's squad.
Giggs: fans forgive dribbling but not lack of tracking back
Speaking on 'Rio Ferdinand Presents: The Debrief', Giggs said Rashford needs to sprint back more to help his side defend, because that is what fans love to see.
Giggs said: "Marcus, that's what you need to do. I mean, it's not what you think you're on the team to do. But (tracking back), that will get the fans. Forget the other stuff, they'll forgive you for dribbling and getting tackled or, you know, hitting a shot over."
"Not all the time, obviously, but they won't forgive you for not tracking back. They just won’t. I love Marcus and I want him to do well."
"I wasn't sure if it was right for him to come back because of the whole hype, it always seems to be around Marcus, and it's a lot of pressure for him. But he's got the talent. Just do that (tracking back). Do that for a season. You will be a superstar."
Giggs recalls Rashford's debut call
Giggs added: "I can't tell you how important that tracking back and winning that tackle is. As a winger for United, the crowd will go mad. The crowd will be back on your side. You haven’t touched the ball for 10 minutes and you track back and win a tackle. It's huge."
"There's no doubt in his ability. Assists and goals are really important. But also don't forget that dirty work where you have to sprint back, not jog back, sprint back and win the ball back."
Giggs was part of Louis van Gaal's coaching team when the Dutchman gave Rashford his debut in 2015. He recalled how van Gaal made him deliver the news to Rashford.
Giggs said: "I was part of the coaching staff when Marcus made his debut. So I remember we got told about him."
"So me and Louis, who was the manager at the time, obviously, we went over. The first team had finished training. We went over and watched the reserves."
"Marcus was playing in a small-sided game and he scored just two goals, right foot, left foot, bang, bang. And it was like, 'what have we just seen?'"
"And Louis turns to me, like Louis does, and he went, 'you will tell him he is in my team', and just walked off."
"And I'm stood there going, 'what does that mean?' And obviously, a few days later, he makes his debut, scores a couple of goals. But that was as a centre forward and he was always a centre forward."
The full interview is available on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel at 9.00 UK time on Wednesday September 9.
