Jamie Carragher says 26-year-old Man United player simply has to step up now

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Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to step up for Erik ten Hag’s side.

Marcus Rashford has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old missed the FA Cup third-round clash against Newport County after missing training on the Friday before.

Rashford had been out in Belfast for two consecutive nights prior and Man United issued a statement saying Rashford had ‘taken responsibility’ for his actions. 

The Englishman has since re-joined Ten Hag’s squad and grabbed a goal in the 4-3 win at Wolves last week. He also started and played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win at Old Trafford over West Ham on Sunday. 

And after Ten Hag has stuck by his man, Jamie Carragher believes Rashford needs to step up for United and become a real leader.

Carragher says Rashford needs to step up at United

Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick To Football, Gary Neville delivered his verdict on Rashford’s recent antics.

“It’s a massive factor the dressing room you come into as a young player and the influence of standard bearers in the dressing room is huge,” he said.

“I think these United lads who have come through in the last five, six, seven or eight years.

“If you are at Liverpool or City you have a really good chance whereas if you are at United now you are thinking who is sorting that dressing room.”

“That’s why Rashford has to be that. He’s 26! You can’t say who is older than him or who is above him. You become the leader of the team, you have to grab it,” Carragher added.

“He doesn’t have to be Roy Keane but he has to do it a different way. Stevie Gerrard, a completely different player to Rashford but I was someone who would be shouting and screaming at the ref and other players.

“Stevie did it through his ability and the respect he had from other players. I’m not saying Rashford has to go around ranting and raving at other players but his body language, you can just feel it when someone becomes a leader.

“I feel like when I’m watching Trent Alexander-Arnold this season, even though his numbers might be the same, it’s just a body language and feeling he has got on the pitch that he’s getting older.”

Rashford starred for United last season, netting 29 goals in all competitions. He’s managed just five this time around and it’s fair to say that his displays have been underwhelming. 

Nevertheless, he remains United’s most important attacking player and getting the best out of Rashford will be key to any success Ten Hag may have this term.

But Carragher makes a great point that Rashford also needs to step up and become a key figure at United.

At 26, he’s no longer a promising youngster and is now a senior player who should be setting the standards at Old Trafford.