Instead of what Marcus Rashford is threatening to become, Manchester United needs the real Marcus Rashford

“Case closed,” declared Erik ten Hag. Yet, the Marcus Rashford saga remains far from settled, with the verdict still hanging in the balance. Manchester United‘s returning prodigy finds himself back in the mix, his second transgression this season not entirely forgotten and perhaps not entirely forgiven, but temporarily relegated to the past. In the current campaign, Rashford has had more forgettable nights out – one at Chinawhites in Manchester, another in Belfast – than memorable moments on the field at Old Trafford.

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The erstwhile patron saint of underprivileged children during lockdown would have done well to confine himself at home for a couple of evenings. At the very least, he has exhibited a lack of judgment and professionalism. Ten Hag remarked, “When you want to play top football, it demands a certain way of life, always.” He continued, “We are talking about top football players. I don’t have to educate them any more. When you are playing for Man United, they should know.”

Almost eight years since his debut and nearing 400 games for United, Rashford should possess a better understanding of the responsibilities that come with the territory. However, a solution that worked well last season seems to have become a problem in the current one. Ten Hag’s flagship success, the player he transformed from a lost soul to the catalytic top scorer, has regressed as the manager’s star has waned. Old Trafford has been the spiritual home of the overpaid underachiever in the last decade, and Rashford’s new deal, signed last summer, makes him one of the club’s highest earners. Unfortunately, he has failed to justify that status since.

Rashford has never quite displayed the vigor of a Manchester City or Liverpool forward. His unwillingness to track back was glaringly evident in the December defeat at Newcastle. A player with Rashford’s CV at United could have been a candidate for the captaincy, but questions loom over whether he possesses the requisite character. He often seems the oldest among United’s young players. His recent reinvention as the enfant terrible may have been an unwelcome surprise and particularly inconvenient. The relationship between player and manager does not seem as strong as it once was, although Ten Hag insists, “It has nothing to do with the relationship between me and Marcus.”

Ten Hag repeatedly mentions that Rashford “has taken responsibility.” After being banished from the squad for the FA Cup win at Newport, he could feature against Wolves on Thursday. A comparison with Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled for good, adds an intriguing element. Ten Hag draws a distinction, stating, “We can sort out everything internally. Jadon chose to go public.” Sancho’s tweet and refusal to apologize closed the door for him.

Certainly, Rashford has not publicly criticized his manager. The fact that he could potentially feature against Wolves suggests that he can be contrite and reintegrated. He had been benched for the equivalent fixture last season, despite being in fine form, after oversleeping and arriving late for a team meeting. While this incident was on a smaller scale of misdemeanors, Rashford came off the bench, scored the winner, and supported Ten Hag’s decision to demote him.

However, his career trajectory now may not be on an upward curve. After regaining his place in the England team, it now looks under threat. He has lost his privileged position as one of Ten Hag’s automatic choices, spending much of December on the bench, partly explained by a virus.

This situation is a far cry from last season when Ten Hag declared Rashford “definitely one” of the best forwards in Europe. In May, the Dutchman argued that Rashford’s 30-goal campaign could be the stepping stone to even greater things, stating, “I am sure he is capable of 40 goals in a season.” As of the end of January, with only five goals to his name, achieving an astonishing final four months to reach 40 seems unlikely. Thus far, it appears to be a second disappointing season in three for Rashford, further cementing the perception of an enigmatic figure and an inconsistent performer.

Despite Rashford’s ill-timed trip to Belfast, interrupting his best form of the season, there were signs of a burgeoning understanding with summer signing Rasmus Hojlund. Ten Hag remarked, “He is developing a strong bond with Rasmus Hojlund. We have a front line that I think is a danger.” The manager must hope so, for it was Rashford who rendered Ten Hag a success in his first season at Old Trafford. While Ten Hag can be a disciplinarian, he is now tasked with recalling Rashford, needing him to rescue his second campaign.