Michael Owen has questioned Marcus Rashford’s form and body language after Manchester United’s draw with Fulham, calling his position the weak link in the current attack.

Owen warns Rashford could lose his Man Utd place after another quiet display

Michael Owen has delivered a strong verdict on Marcus Rashford after Manchester United’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham.

The former United and England striker believes Rashford is currently the most vulnerable player in Michael Carrick’s attacking line.

Rashford has returned to Old Trafford this season after spending time away from the club, but he has yet to rediscover his best form.

And Owen believes the 28-year-old could soon lose his place if things do not improve.

Owen calls Rashford the ‘weak link’

Owen was analysing United’s attacking options after the draw at Craven Cottage when he focused on Rashford’s position.

The former Ballon d’Or winner believes Rashford has been the quietest member of United’s attack in recent weeks.

He said:

“Rashford would be the weak link in that attack as things stand.”

Owen was not saying that Rashford lacks ability.

Instead, he believes the forward is currently offering less than the other attacking options available to Carrick.

Rashford struggles to make an impact against Fulham

Rashford started on the left side of United’s attack against Fulham but struggled to have a major influence on the match.

United produced another difficult attacking performance and had problems creating consistent pressure.

Rashford was eventually taken off during the second half.

He has also failed to register a Premier League goal or assist so far this season.

Those numbers have increased the pressure on a player who returned to Manchester hoping to rebuild his United career.

Owen concerned by Rashford’s body language

It was not only Rashford’s football that caught Owen’s attention.

He was also surprised by the forward’s body language during the match.

Owen described Rashford as looking quiet and unhappy on the pitch.

He said:

“On the left, Marcus Rashford has been probably the quietest of those attackers.”

Owen also questioned why Rashford appeared to have such a “glum face” despite being back in Manchester United’s starting team.

For Owen, Rashford does not currently look like a player enjoying his football.

‘He should be in his prime’

Owen believes Rashford’s age makes the situation even more frustrating.

The forward is now 28, an age when many attacking players are expected to produce some of the best football of their careers.

Owen said:

“He’s 28 now, he should be in his prime.”

He believes Rashford has the speed, technique and natural ability to be a top-level attacker.

But Owen says those qualities have only appeared in short periods rather than consistently.

That inconsistency remains one of the biggest questions around Rashford’s career.

Sesko return could put Rashford under pressure

Rashford could face even more competition when Benjamin Sesko returns to full fitness.

Sesko has been unavailable because of injury, forcing Carrick to make changes to his attacking system.

Matheus Cunha has often been used through the middle as a result.

However, Owen believes that situation could change when Sesko returns.

If Sesko starts as the central striker, Cunha could move back to his preferred position on the left.

That would put Rashford’s place directly under threat.

Cunha could replace Rashford on the left

Owen believes Cunha’s movement to the left side would create a difficult situation for Rashford.

Bryan Mbeumo has regularly occupied the right side of the attack, while Sesko would become the natural option through the middle.

That leaves one position.

The left wing.

And according to Owen, Rashford is currently the player most likely to make way.

It could leave Carrick with an important decision once all of his attackers are available again.

United’s attacking problems go beyond Rashford

However, Manchester United’s problems cannot be blamed on one player alone.

The team struggled as a whole against Fulham and have lacked attacking rhythm during the opening weeks of the season.

United have also faced criticism over their intensity and physical performance.

Against Fulham, Carrick’s team covered around 6.6 kilometres less than their opponents.

United are also near the bottom of several Premier League statistics for high-intensity running and sprinting.

Those numbers suggest Carrick has wider problems to solve than simply Rashford’s position.

Rashford still has huge ability

Despite his criticism, Owen has not completely lost faith in Rashford.

He believes the England international still has almost everything needed to become a top attacking player.

Rashford has shown throughout his career that he can score goals, attack defenders at speed and decide important matches.

Owen’s main concern is whether Rashford can produce those performances consistently.

When confident and happy, he believes Rashford can still be extremely difficult to stop.

A difficult return to Old Trafford

Rashford’s return to Manchester United was always going to attract attention.

He spent time on loan with Aston Villa before later joining Barcelona for another temporary spell.

But Barcelona did not complete a permanent deal, leaving Rashford to return to Manchester.

Michael Carrick then gave him another opportunity at the club where his senior career began.

So far, however, the comeback has not produced the impact Rashford would have wanted.

Carrick continues to support Rashford

Carrick has taken a more positive view of Rashford’s performances.

After the Fulham match, the United manager said Rashford had continued to carry a threat during the game.

He also explained that the forward was taken off after feeling a physical problem.

Rashford later withdrew from the England squad because of injury.

That means his first priority will now be recovering before United return to action.

A major fight for places in United’s attack

When Rashford returns, the competition could be even stronger.

Sesko is working towards his own comeback.

Cunha remains an important part of Carrick’s plans.

Mbeumo provides another major attacking option.

And United also have younger players pushing for opportunities.

Rashford can no longer assume that his place on the left side is safe.

Rashford now faces a clear challenge

Owen’s message is harsh, but simple.

Rashford has the talent.

He has the experience.

But he now needs performances.

At 28 years old, Owen believes the United forward should be at the strongest point of his career rather than fighting to rediscover his best form.

And once Sesko returns, Carrick could have the option to move Cunha back to the left side.

If that happens, Rashford may be the player under the most pressure to keep his place.

For a player once considered one of Manchester United’s most dangerous attacking weapons, the next few weeks could become extremely important.