Marcus Rashford's career at Manchester United may well be over after the England international sensationally took to social media overnight to call out the club's fans. According to Rashford, he has been the target of ‘abuse' from Man Utd fans for several months now and he has reached breaking point.
Posting on X in response to a fan condemning the criticism that has been thrown his way, the 26-year-old said: “I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.”
The line of messaging from Rashford's camp is inconsistent with the interview he gave to the Players Tribune in late February. During that interview, he said “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.” However, these doubters have now overstepped the mark in his opinion and he wants to put a stop to it.
I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough https://t.co/MUfiU0JwEb
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) April 25, 2024
From hero to zero
Rashford's fall from grace at Man Utd is as steep as it is sad. Just 12 months ago, he was enjoying the best season of his career and he was seen as the boyhood player who would give everything for the shirt. Many United fans believed he would be the catalyst to returning the club to its former glory.
However, this season has been quite the opposite. Not only are Rashford's goal contributions significantly down, but everything about him is being questioned from his work rate off the ball to his behaviour off the pitch.
At the end of January, he was pictured in a nightclub in Belfast the night before phoning in sick to training and from there, things have failed to get any better. He was booed off the pitch by Man Utd fans at Wembley Stadium on Sunday during their FA Cup semi-final against Coventry and didn't play in the club's 4-2 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
While Rashford has faced heavy criticism from the stands this season, it's hard to say whether it qualifies as ‘abuse' or whether it's just par for the course for professional footballers in the hotbed of a Premier League stadium. What he has received online, however, is an entirely different kettle of fish and perhaps a break from social media would do him the world of good.
Man Utd fans snap back at Rashford
Rashford's early morning social media post has largely fallen on deaf ears with several Man Utd fans refuting his claims of abuse. One of them posted: “The way you treat fans is disgusting too. You're well aware of the tickets that are touted for 100s of £ each game in your name. Any trips to Belfast week of the cup final? Biggest victim complex in football.”
Another said: “We’ve all seen Rashford’s performances in recent times they’ve been everything BUT good or exemplary. If criticising a footballer’s performances is abuse then we might as well all log off Twitter & never watch a game of football again.”
A third added: “It’s not about the 30 g/a, Rashford could’ve put up the same numbers as this season but ran his heart out every week and the majority of the fan base would applaud him and appreciate him for it. Abuse is NEVER ok. But criticism over effort levels is warranted this season.”