Opinion | Why Borussia Dortmund are wasting their time with Marcus Rashford  | OneFootball

Twelve months ago, Borussia Dortmund secured the return of Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United.

Twelve months on, Die Schwarzgelben appear to be up to their old tricks once again, as they look to loan in an unwanted English winger from the Red Devils, but this time it is Marcus Rashford.

When Sancho signed on the dotted line to mark his second stint at the Westfalenstadion, there were suggestions that BvB were making a mistake, and this time around is no different.

Therefore, this is why Dortmund are wasting their time—and money—in signing the England international.

What happens to Jamie Gittens?

This has undeniably been a difficult campaign for Die Schwarzgelben, sitting tenth in the Bundesliga table, sitting six points off the Champions League places.

However, a shining light for Nuri Şahin’s side has been Jamie Gittens, who has recorded eleven goals and five assists in 26 appearances this season.

Staring on the left-hand side of BvB’s frontline, Gittens has taken over from Karim Adeyemi, who enjoyed a bright start to the campaign but has since been plagued with injuries.

Nevertheless, Adeymi has returned, meaning that Dortmund now have two left-sided wingers ready to feature on a regular basis, and most importantly, who occupy the favoured position of Rashford.

This means that should Dortmund look to squeeze the 27-year-old into the starting XI—which you imagine they would have to—then Gittens, for a second season in a row, would be affected by a Manchester United loanee taking his place.

There is also the option of utilising Rashford up front, but with 13 goals in his debut season for Dortmund, Serhou Guirassy has been a reliable marksman for BvB, making the decision to loan in the Englishman even more puzzling.

Another short-term solution

On top of questioning where Şahin would deploy Rashford, there is also the fact that this is BvB making another short-term solution rather than fixing the problem.

Donyell Malen’s exit has left a void on the right side of Dortmund’s right-hand side, a position that Rashford is not familiar with.

But even if they were to push Adeyemi or Gittens over to the right, then come the summer, they would need to find a permanent replacement for the Dutchman.

Rashford’s €400-a-week contract is not something that BvB could dream of matching—or even come close to offering—meaning that the Englishman is highly, highly unlikely to return to the Westfalenstadion next season.

Could Dortmund turn elsewhere to find a ready-made fix for their right-hand side, or do they just enjoy attempting to revitalise failing Manchester United assets in which they will ultimately only lose money on?

Borussia Dortmund do not need Rashford

It has been established that Dortmund could benefit by signing a cheaper alternative to Rashford, who could come in and impact from the right-hand side of their frontline.

However, Die Schwzrsgelben should turn their attention to bolstering their backline and midfield.

Julian Brandt has been far off the pace this season, and without the 28-year-old firing on all cylinders, they do not have a creative spark in the midfield, someone who can muster up a magical moment from nowhere.

As well as this, while injuries have been an issue for Şahin’s side this season, a recurring problem for Dortmund has been at left-back.

They have been linked to Chelsea’s Renato Veiga, but once again, only on loan; could they use the income generated by Malen to make this a permanent deal?

Having shipped 31 league goals this season means that finding further reinforcement to the centre of defence should also be of higher priority for BvB this winter.

Ultimately, for the past few seasons, Dortmund have found themselves in the position of requiring certain positions to be filled, but they ignore them or find short-term solutions.

The loan signing of Marcus Rashford only highlights this again, and if they are serious about becoming regular title contenders, then they need to change their approach in the transfer market.

GGFN | Will Shopland