Multiple Manchester United legends have supposedly reached out to Marcus Rashford over the course of his Old Trafford decline – but it appears olive branches may be running out
Manchester United icons David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have reportedly reached out to the under-fire forward in an attempt to cease his current slide.
Rashford, 27, appears destined for the Old Trafford exit – either in the coming days or later this summer – after being exiled by Ruben Amorim. The manager has told his outcast he “needs to change” to have any future with the club where he has spent almost 20 years of his life.
The Sun reported in January 2024 that staff at United shared concerns for the forward’s alleged ‘party lifestyle’ as far back as 2021. Rashford was dropped for an FA Cup clash against Newport County back then, having called in sick to training shortly after he purportedly went on a booze-filled all-day bender in Belfast.
The same report added that Beckham and fellow Red Devils legend Ferdinand both contacted Rashford 12 months ago as a form of intervention. Former team-mate Rooney – who endured his fair share of public scandal as a player – was also sympathetic at the time, though it appears his stance has hardened.
Rooney, 39, has spoken about how Rashford must feel “embarrassed” after being relegated to training away from the squad at Carrington. And United’s all-time record goalscorer – who once backed Rashford to surpass his total – has told his old team-mate to get out of Old Trafford if he’s seeking a fresh start.
“I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus Rashford was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach, but he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids’ games,” said Rooney on the Stick to Football podcast. “I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walk past.
“I’ve spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I’ve given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the football club because whatever is going on his life and at Manchester United, he’s not the same. For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club.”
Rashford hasn’t played for United since a Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzen on December 12, having been omitted from Thursday’s squad to face FCSB. There have been rumours of interest from Barcelona, but the finances of any loan deal are severely complicated by the player’s £300,000-a-week wages.
Another United alumnus, Roy Keane, has been considerably firmer in his views and said Rashford “must be ashamed” of himself following his decline. Whatever the reason for that plummet in form in recent years, the Irishman couldn’t wrap his head around Rashford’s failure to train properly.
“I can’t get involved in the conversation, I still can’t understand at any level,” said Keane on the Stick to Football podcast. “Whatever’s going on with players leaving, months left on contracts, a player who doesn’t train properly. . .I don’t understand it.
“You might as well leave me out of this conversation. Especially if you think he wants to move, which is more of a reason to train properly so when you go to a new club you’re up to speed and when you leave the club at least you showed a decent attitude. He must be ashamed.”
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