Some players at Manchester United are concerned Marcus Rashford has become demotivated amid his spiral this season.
Rashford’s form has nosedived in the past five months and some sections of the dressing room feel the United forward is drifting through games.
United supporters voted Rashford the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year in 2022-23 after he scored 30 goals but he has tallied a meagre four so far this term.
The 26-year-old was fined two weeks’ wages – around £650,000 – after he was pictured embarking on an alcohol-fuelled trip to Belfast last week.
Rashford was also effectively dropped for the FA Cup win at Newport County as he declared himself fit on the morning of the game and offered to travel to South Wales. United manager Erik ten Hag ordered Rashford to train at the club’s Carrington training complex.
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Rashford informed United he went out on Wednesday night yet it transpired he had been out on Thursday evening and the early hours of Friday morning. The players had Thursday off but were due in for training on Friday.
Earlier this season, Rashford hosted an ill-advised birthday party hours after United were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City. Ten Hag branded his attendance at the shindig “unacceptable”.
A source who has worked with Rashford for several years feels he had a better mentality when he was a younger player as he was not one of the star players in the United squad.
Sources at Carrington also feel Rashford lacks a steadier influence amid changes to his entourage in the last 18 months. Rashford severed ties with Kelly Hogarth at the start of last season and was briefly represented by the public relations firm Huxley last year but switched to the Sports PR Company.
Rashford signed a new five-year contract with United in July but he has copped flak off matchgoers several times this season. Rashford’s removal in the loss to City was audibly cheered and a minority of the Old Trafford crowd booed him when he emerged against Chelsea in December. Many in the away end were also on his back during the FA Cup third round win at Wigan.
Ten Hag is expected to name Rashford on the bench for United’s Premier League fixture away to Wolves on Thursday, with Antony poised to continue in the attack after contributing his first goal and assist of the campaign at Newport.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
