Marcus Rashford needs a big season and talkSPORT's pundits are backing the Manchester United star to prove the doubters wrong and show why PSG were so keen on signing him

For Marcus Rashford this season it's a case of sink or swim.

He Manchester United The star had a season to forget but now has the backing of a return to the form that once made him one of Europe's most lethal finishers.

After progressing through the club's academy, Rashford burst onto the scene at Old Trafford in 2016 and recorded double figures in his first two full seasons as a first-team player.

In 2019/20 and 2020/21, Rashford broke the 20-goal mark, before an injury-hit campaign saw his tally drop; however, that was short-lived as he racked up 30 goals in all competitions in 2022/23.

It takes something to hit those kinds of numbers consistently and Rashford has shown in those campaigns that he has the x-factor.

This was due to his pace running in behind defenders and his ability to instinctively strike the ball earlier than many would expect, leading to his efforts beating the goalkeeper with such convincing finishes.

It was that kind of form that took the European giants Paris Saint-Germain to be long-term admirers of the striker.

He was expected to maintain his prolific run in front of goal, but Rashford struggled last season as off-field issues appeared to affect his on-field productivity.

The most notable thing is that Rashford was Spotted at a nightclub in Belfast before reporting sick for training the next morning.

This came just months after he was spotted in a nightclub following a 3-0 defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City.

With just eight goals to his name last season and a string of performances that left much to be desired, Rashford was left out of England's Euro 2024 squad for Gareth Southgate – a seismic blow for a player who is considered one of the most talented forwards in the country in recent years.

But while last season did not go to plan, the 26-year-old clearly has something to prove this season and gave an early suggestion that he is fully fit for this season after looking sharp and dangerous in last weekend's Community Shield clash at Wembley.

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With fans desperate to see Rashford return to his best, will this be the season Manchester United's biggest star finds his feet again?

Here's what talkSPORT's pundits had to say about Rashford ahead of the new Premier League season…

McCoist Ally

“I think it's a huge season for Marcus Rashford.

“I have said how disappointed I was with him, his team and the fans last season, but I think he is at a crossroads.

“It looks like he's going to stay at Manchester United – you need a bit of certainty about your future and now he's got that.

“He was clearly disappointed with his own level of performance last year and deservedly, in my view, missed out on the England squad for the Euros.

“There’s a big question mark over his future and how he’s going to react to it, so it’s a huge season for him.”

Wes Brown

“I know what he can do. I'm actually excited to watch him because there's a lot of pressure on him and I just hope he comes through.”

“I hope that all those who have looked down on him will take revenge on them.”

Emile Heskey

“We have seen him recover and this is another opportunity for him to do so.

“We know what he is capable of. He may see it differently, but a lot of people are backing his promotion because he is a fantastic player and we know what he is capable of doing.

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“Now is the time for him to prove it.”

Phil Bardsley

“It's a big season for him. Obviously it's a reality check not being called up to play for England; it may also hurt his ego a bit.

“You have to give him credit for taking a break this summer and then coming back to the fray.

“It's important that when you get knocked down in this game, you get up quickly and he did that.

“There are some positive comments coming out of the training ground about the work he is putting in, so hopefully he can carry that over onto the pitch.

“He is certainly a player with great ability and having a year like the one he had last year was not up to his expectations.

“It is probably time to reflect and try again this season. Hopefully I can match the 30 goals I scored last season.”

The Premier League returns on Friday and talkSPORT has the first two games of the season live, including Manchester United's clash with Fulham, which is Live exclusively on talkSPORT