Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has insisted that one Manchester United star should have been “approaching” the prime period of his footballing career, despite falling well short of it.
Manchester United have endured an up-and-down season under manager Erik ten Hag, whose long-term future at Old Trafford is shrouded in uncertainty.
Erik ten Hag has come under mounting pressure in the current campaign after United have underwhelmed in a lacklustre Premier League season.
The Red Devils fell well short of challenging for the Premier League top four and are highly unlikely to secure Champions League football for next season.
However, United are in contention for the FA Cup trophy after fending off an incredible comeback from Coventry City in the semi-finals on Sunday.
United capitulated in the second half while leading 3-0 at Wembley and Coventry City rallied back to send the tie to extra time after scoring three times late on.
The Red Devils punched their ticket to the FA Cup final in May after beating Mark Robins’ men 4-2 in the penalty shootout in the semi-final tie.
United face Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup next month, having fallen short of their crosstown rivals in the 2023 final at Wembley last season.
Souness makes claim on Man Utd star
Speaking on talkSPORT (via The Daily Mail), Graeme Souness made his stance clear on Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford underwhelmed in the FA Cup clash against Coventry City and the United forward has been met with criticism this season over his form.
The 26-year-old Three Lions international has only managed to score seven times in 31 Premier League appearances in the current campaign.
In complete contrast, Rashford was in the form of his life for United last season and scored an impressive 17 times in 35 Premier League appearances.
Erik ten Hag has also had to deal with the England and United forward for off-the-field matters, including his visit to nightclubs during the current campaign.
Souness suggested that Rashford is a “case in point” of a player who should have entered the prime of his life, despite claiming his peak ability looks behind him.
“When we were the dominant team at Liverpool, they [United] were the bigger stars than we were,” he said.
“They get so much attention Manchester United players and I think it’s to their detriment.
“Especially the modern game when the kind of rewards these boys get, they get far too much far too soon and I think Rashford is a case in point.
“He’s 26, should just be now approaching his best years, but it looks like his best years are long gone.”
Souness’ worry for one Man Utd talent
Former Sky Sports pundit Souness also spotlighted Alejandro Garnacho and raised his concerns over the “exceptionally talented” United winger.
Alejandro Garnacho has had an impressive season at Old Trafford, but the 19-year-old Spain-born player has faced his own controversies at the club.
The Argentina international’s social media account liked tweets criticising Ten Hag’s decision to withdraw Garnacho during the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
United boss Ten Hag has since revealed that Garnacho has apologised and put the matter to bed, but Souness admits he is ‘worried’ about the Red Devils winger.
“Garnacho, for me, is an exceptionally talented young man, but I worry for him,” Souness said.
“It’s just an observation: call me old-fashioned, call me a dinosaur, but he’s got two ear-rings in the warm-up, on the pitch.
“He’s a young boy just learning the game. Coming back to the point that Joe Cole would have made about good senior pros, pointing out to younger guys how you live your life, how you act, how you train, your attitude to life.
“And I just worry, it’s an age-old thing, it’s not a new thing at Manchester United, they have always been the most glamorous football club in this country and just like Bayern Munich in Germany are called ‘FC Hollywood,’ I think you can use the same term to talk about Manchester United.
“They get too much too soon at Manchester United, that’s my take on it.”