Bacary Sagna says Manchester United expect too much from current player

Marcus Rashford's struggles to produce this season are well documented, with the Manchester United star not yet at double-digit goals after setting a career high last season.

As Rashford's woes have gone, so have the Red Devils, who were unceremoniously bounced from the Champions League in the group stage and find themselves outside the top four of the Premier League with just 10 matches remaining.

Despite the 26-year-old's lack of production relative to earlier campaigns, he still has a backer in Bacary Sagna. The former Arsenal and Manchester City player feels that Rashford has become a scapegoat for United's problems, telling Paddy Power that the club have put too much pressure on him.

Sagna still believes in Rashford's talent and backs the long-tenured United man to turn things around — if given the time to do so.

“I love Marcus Rashford so if you told me, as an Arsenal fan that we could get him, I would say yes!" Sagna said. "But that would not be fair on Manchester United because United have a lot of hope in him.

"They’ve believed in him, gave him time to play and a big contract so it wouldn’t be fair for me to say he should walk away from United.  

“It’s one of those seasons where if it doesn’t go right from the beginning, you’re criticised and if it doesn’t go well collectively, he’ll be blamed because he’s one of the best talents and one of the players that people expect a lot from.  

“When things are going wrong, you need to point fingers and he’s one of the players people will point at. Then, as a player, it depends how much you can take the criticism because sometimes you think it’s unfair that people are blaming you. Why should they have to take extra pressure on them? It’s never down to one player, there are 11 players on the pitch at the same time.  

“It’s not just Rashford’s responsibility, it’s down to everyone as a team and when the team is shining, usually the best player's shine. Manchester United have struggled, and Rashford can’t change it all on his own. People expected him to lift the whole team but it’s not fair to put all the pressure on him – he's a top player but he’s a human being as well.” 

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