Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, continues to face an 'embarrassing' exile under the management of Ruben Amorim. Former United captain, Wayne Rooney, has shed light on this situation and suggested that Rashford must consider leaving the club to salvage his career.
Rashford's exclusion from the team is reportedly due to his failure to meet expected standards in training. Consequently, he was not included in the squad that flew out for a recent Europa League tie against FCSB in Bucharest. The 27-year-old striker hasn't played for United since their 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in December last year.
Rooney revealed during a visit to United's training ground that it was disheartening seeing Rashford train alone while his teammates were away for a game against Fulham. He also admitted having private talks with Rashford about his current predicament at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United legend, said:
“I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus 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. I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parent walk past."
Career at stake
Rooney revealed he urged Rashford on several occasions privately to consider leaving Manchester United for the sake of his career progression. This advice comes as no surprise given how detrimental long-term bench-warming can be for any professional footballer’s development and morale.
Wayne Rooney added:
“I was surprised when this started over two years ago, but now I’m not. I’ve spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I’ve given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the club, because whatever is going on his life and at United, he’s not the same.
“For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club. The fact that your manager is coming out and saying that you’re not training right is crazy.”
Another former skipper of Man Utd, Roy Keane echoed similar sentiments stating that it should be a matter of shame for Rashford that Amorim is publicly criticizing him over perceived poor training performances.
Strategic move?
Gary Neville, another ex-captain of Man Utd offered an alternative perspective suggesting Amorim's public criticism could be part of a broader strategy aimed at finding another club willing to take on loan and pay a significant portion of Rashford’s £315k weekly wages.
As Monday’s transfer deadline approaches swiftly, all eyes are now focused on what lies ahead for Marcus Rashfords’ career. Will he heed the advice of his former teammates and seek a fresh start elsewhere, or will he strive to regain his position at Manchester United? Only time will tell.
Rashford's situation at Manchester United serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of professional football. It underscores the importance of consistent performance, not just in matches but also in training sessions. It also highlights how quickly fortunes can change in this highly competitive sport.
