Giuseppe Rossi: Marcus Rashford Needs a Fresh Start at Everton
Giuseppe Rossi thinks Marcus Rashford’s Old Trafford story is over – and that Everton could be the perfect stage for his next act.
The former Manchester United and Villarreal striker, who rebuilt his own career after leaving United as a youngster, believes the 28-year-old needs a clean break from his boyhood club and a Premier League environment that lets him feel “free” again.
Rossi: Rashford and United have run their course
Rashford returned to Manchester United this summer after a loan spell at Barcelona, where he impressed in spells but was not retained by the Catalan club. His future now hangs in the balance, with uncertainty over whether he fits into United’s long-term plans.
Rossi, speaking to Bet Brothers, did not sugar-coat his view of the situation.
“Marcus Rashford needs to go to another club for his own sake. I think his time as a Manchester United player has run its course,” he said.
He admitted he was surprised Barcelona chose not to keep the forward.
“It’s very interesting that Barcelona didn’t keep him because I thought he was a pretty good player for them, and a good fit for how they play in the end.”
But for Rossi, the bigger issue lies back in Manchester.
“I don’t think he feels like a Manchester United player anymore, he doesn’t have that mentality, and you don’t want those sorts of players around your club, bringing down what you’re trying to build. It would be the best thing for everyone if they could all move on quickly this summer.”
Why Everton makes sense
Everton, still scanning the market for a high-profile left-sided attacker, sit firmly on Rossi’s radar as a potential solution. CEO Angus Kinnear has already confirmed the club remain interested in Jack Grealish after his loan on Merseyside last season, though the England international featured for Manchester City in their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.
If Grealish proves out of reach or unavailable, Rossi sees an obvious alternative.
For him, David Moyes – back in the Everton dugout and looking to sharpen his attacking options down the left – could find a powerful weapon in Rashford. A fresh setting, a demanding crowd, and a manager who has long thrived with direct, dynamic wide players: the ingredients are there.
“He needs a move to another Premier League club this summer, and it would be cool to see him at a side like Tottenham Hotspur or Everton,” Rossi said. “He needs a club where he’ll be given the chance to feel free to play his way and bring the team back some glory. He would do well in that sort of environment.”
England, not Italy, for the reboot
Rossi knows all about reinvention. After leaving United, he exploded at Villarreal, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer despite two serious ACL injuries, and later turned out for Fiorentina and Levante before retiring in 2023 at 36. His own journey gives weight to his assessment of where Rashford might flourish.
The idea of a Serie A switch has been floated, especially after Scott McTominay’s successful move to Italy, but Rossi is unconvinced.
“Could Rashford go and reinvent himself in Italy as Scott McTominay has? It’s an interesting idea but I don’t see him thriving in Serie A. The league is too tactical,” he argued. “I think Rashford still fits the English way of playing best, although truthfully he did well at Barcelona.”
So the message is clear: stay in England, but start again.
Tottenham and Everton sit in the bracket Rossi believes can hand Rashford the freedom and responsibility he craves. For Everton, still hunting that marquee left-sided threat and eyeing developments over Grealish, the question lingers over Hill Dickinson Stadium.
If Rashford really is ready to cut the cord with United, are the Blues prepared to bet that Merseyside is where he finally feels like himself again?
