Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has called on manager Michael Carrick to resolve the future of Marcus Rashford and bring him back into the first-team fold at Old Trafford. Yorke believes that with a fit and firing Rashford, United could challenge for the Premier League title.
Rashford's Uncertain Future
Rashford, who joined United at age seven and was a standout player for years, has been away on England duty this summer. He is expected to return to Carrington after the Three Lions exited the World Cup at the hands of Argentina. The attacker fell out with former boss Ruben Amorim, leading to a temporary loan spell at Aston Villa and then a season-long stay at Barcelona, where he helped secure the La Liga title. Barcelona opted against activating the buyout clause in his contract, despite his promising performances, meaning Rashford will rejoin the United squad. However, the club is reportedly looking to sell the player.
Yorke's Advice to Carrick
Speaking to sports betting website BOYLE Sports, Yorke said: "Now I know not everyone will agree but if I was Carrick, the first person I would be going and seeing to have a conversation is Marcus Rashford. You're the manager. You figure it out with him. You make the decisions. You're not there to please people. Don't listen to people on the outside. It's easy to get influenced by pundits. When you get the sack, none of them will be coming to your rescue. Managers always get sacked."
Yorke, who scored 65 goals in 125 appearances for United and was dismissed as manager of Trinidad and Tobago in March after failing to qualify for the World Cup, added: "In my time as a manager, I have learned that if you're going to get sacked, get sacked doing it your way. Do not get caught up in the outside noise telling you what to do. Do what you think is right. You've got the football knowledge. You've been there as a player. You understand it. Have that conversation with the individual."
Risk and Reward
Yorke acknowledged the gamble: "Bringing Marcus Rashford back into the fold is a gamble but it's a case of risk and reward. Take the risk, it works out, and Carrick is the best manager ever. People will be asking themselves, how did he get Rashford back to his best and playing for United? If it goes the other way, then you've got egg on your face. That's just how it is."
He continued: "I would go to Rashford at his home, have a conversation with him, and see where his mind is because a fit and flying Rashford at 28 years of age is the kind of play that wins you Premier League titles. The only question is whether Rashford has the stomach to come back to England, take on the doubters and the haters, and prove to himself - not to them - that he is the player we know he can be because for me his talent has never been in doubt. It's all about his mindset, his attitude, what's in his head."
Yorke concluded: "He's undoubtedly the most gifted player in the squad but does he want to come back and fight and show that determination to be the best, to be the number one player at the club again? It's down to him. None of us can say or do anything for Rashford. He must want to do it himself. But you could have a really good conversation to get an insight on where he is, and if Carrick can bring home Rashford to play at his free-flowing best, enjoying his football and living the best moments of his life as a footballer, he could be unstoppable. That's what I'd want if I was Carrick. Get rid of all the other noises and get him producing his best football for Manchester United. All Carrick needs to ask himself is how he can get that from him."
Contract and Future
Rashford still has two years left on his current contract, with a reported £17.5 million-a-year salary believed to be a stumbling block for potential suitors. During the World Cup, Rashford stated: "I was very clear. I wanted any move to be done before the World Cup. If it's not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment."
