Parker: Ten Hag’s Trust in Garnacho and Rashford Could Cost Him

Following the aftermath of Arne Slot claiming all the plaudits for a comprehensive 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United and fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag. We had the pleasure of catching up with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker who had a lot to say about Manchester United’s current wide options. 

Ten Hag’s Decisions Under Fire After Another Loss

Every time Manchester United drop points this season, there will be eyes glaring towards the INEOS board in what they choose to do with Erik ten Hag. It’s well publicised that United were in the shopping window for a new manager following their FA Cup win over Manchester City. In the end the club decided to stick with the man that stuck it Pep Guardiola in Wembley. Yet, after two losses from three league games, pressure is already mounting on the former Ajax manager and Parker feels his decision to deploy Alejandro Garnacho and stick with a misfiring Marcus Rashford is costing United. 

“The performances and the team unity has to step up. It has to step up. And it starts with what ten Hag is doing with his wide players. With Garnacho you’re not sure what you’re going to get. He comes off and he doesn’t even look at his manager. He just kind of walks past as if he’s asking the question as to why he was subbed off. He’s a young player. He shouldn’t be doing that. Go and knock on the manager’s door the next day and ask questions. But remember who you are. Remember where you are. You don’t do that. You don’t do that. Remember how old you are as well.”

Garnacho’s Talent Needs Tempering with Humility

Garnacho, who had been a standout performer in the Manchester United youth setup, was promoted to the first team under ten Hag. He had been part of United’s Under-18s and Under-23s, where he showcased his potential, especially during their FA Youth Cup victory in 2022. Garnacho ended the 2022-2023 season with 5 goals and 5 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. He followed that up with 54 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and winning the club’s Goal of the Season award for a spectacular overhead kick at Goodison Park against Everton. Despite this, Parker wants to see Garnacho remain humble despite the fact that he feels as though Garmacho didn’t deserve to be hooked this weekend against Liverpool. 

“He’s played a few games for Argentina and yes, they are the world champions, but because you played a few games again it doesn’t make you the control freak who makes the decisions about where and when you play and when you go off. But the only thing I will say is that it shouldn’t have been him. Everyone in the stadium knew that. So the manager has to be strong. And the one thing he needs on his side at the moment is he needs his players. And to keep the players on the right side, he has to make decisions about players who are not doing enough. Have a bad game. That’s human. You can have bad games.” 

Rashford’s Underwhelming Start Raises Eyebrows

Which brings Parker onto Marcus Rashford who had a difficult time last season and had endured a slow start to the season despite creating three big chances so far this season. None of which have been converted. The Manchester United faithful at Old Trafford spoke with their voices in the loss to Liverpool when the fans booed ten Hag’s decision to substitute Garnacho instead of the England international. 

“The one thing you do when you’re having a bad game is you try so hard to make the person who you’re up against ineffective. The way you make your way effective is just to work hard. That’s how you judge  good players who become great players in certain ways because if they’re not right at least you’re making it difficult. Marcus Rashford doesn’t do that. He had opportunities to run in that second half one on one with Konate..”

Rashford netted 17 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 season but could match such heights last season. Parker believes Rashford needs to remain selfless in his approach play and in doing so will generate more chances for both himself and his team mates. 

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is a poor defender and he didn’t really take those opportunities. Never looked like he wanted to try and run with the ball at all.. Never once did he try to run the other side of either of those two players. If he makes those runs and doesn’t get the ball, it creates space for someone else. And that’s been unselfish. He never did that. He’s a wide player. His strength is the fact that he’s a good athlete, but he doesn’t want to use his strength. He’s trying to get the ball to his feet and to try stepovers which isn’t his strength.”

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