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Manchester United: Marcus Rashford says commitment to club cannot be questioned

Manchester United: Marcus Rashford says commitment to club cannot be questioned

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has hit back at his critics, insisting his commitment to the club cannot be questioned.

The striker has faced questions this season over his perceived attitude. Last month Rashford was reportedly seen in a Belfast nightclub before missing the following day's training due to illness and he subsequently missed United's FA Cup tie against Newport.

On the pitch, clips of seemingly half-hearted attempts to close down opposition players have gone viral following games. But Rashford, who has just five goals to his name this season, wants critics to show "a bit more humanity".

"When I make a mistake, I'll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better," he wrote in a piece for the Players' Tribune website.

Marcus Rashford has just five goals to his name this season (AFP via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford has just five goals to his name this season (AFP via Getty Images)

"But if you ever question my commitment to Man United, that's when I have to speak up. It's like somebody questioning my entire identity, and everything I stand for as a man.

"I grew up here. I have played for this club since I was a boy. My family turned down life-changing money when I was a kid so I could wear this badge.

"I can take any criticism. I can take any headline. From podcasts, social media and the papers. I can take it.

"But if you start questioning my commitment to this club and my love for football and bringing my family into it, then I'd simply ask you to have a bit more humanity."

Rashford came under scrutiny in October last year after attending a nightclub party following United's 3-0 home derby defeat to Manchester City.

The forward suggested there is a "tone" to media coverage surrounding him, which he believes may stem from his campaigning for free school meals during the pandemic in which he was made an MBE.

Marcus Rashford has faced criticism of his actions both on and off the pitch (Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford has faced criticism of his actions both on and off the pitch (Getty Images)

Rashford added: "I'm not trying to have a go at the media. I understand the game, you know what I mean? They're not really writing about me. It's like they're writing about this character, 'Marcus Rashford.'

"It can't just be about me as a 26-year-old lad on a night out, or a lad getting a parking ticket. It's got to be about how much my car costs, guessing my weekly salary, my jewellery or even my tattoos.

"It's got to be about my body language, and questioning my morals, and speculating about my family, and my football future.

"There's a tone to it that you don't get with all footballers. Let's just leave it at that.

"I think some of it goes back to the pandemic. I was just trying to use my voice to make sure that kids weren't going hungry, because I know exactly how it feels.

"For some reason, that seemed to rub certain people the wrong way. It seems like they've been waiting for me to have a human moment so they can point the finger and say, 'See? See who he really is?'."