Manchester United arrive at Elland Road on Sunday with a clear directive from caretaker manager Michael Carrick: Marcus Rashford must break his prolonged goal drought. The England forward, who has been a regular fixture in United’s attacking line‑up, has not found the net or provided an assist since returning from a loan spell at Barcelona. Carrick’s confidence in Rashford’s ability to turn the tide adds a narrative thread to what promises to be a pivotal Premier League fixture.

Rashford’s recent form has been hampered by a lingering hip injury that dates back to the World Cup. The physical setback has limited his explosiveness in the final third, contributing to a barren spell that stretches across multiple matches. Despite the injury, Rashford has continued to feature in United’s starting XI, but the lack of tangible output – no goals or assists – has raised questions about his readiness to lead the line in high‑stakes encounters.

Speaking ahead of the Leeds United visit, Carrick emphasized the importance of work rate and positional awareness. He noted that Rashford’s natural instincts to get into promising positions remain intact, and that sustained effort in training and matches will eventually translate into goal‑scoring opportunities. Carrick’s remarks were unequivocal: the forward possesses the tools to rediscover his scoring touch, provided he maintains the discipline to exploit spaces and capitalize on chances created by his teammates.

United’s recent campaign has been marked by a series of setbacks, including dropped points against lower‑ranked opposition and defensive lapses that have cost the club valuable league standing. The Leeds United match offers a chance to halt the slide and secure three points that could prove decisive in the race