Marcus Rashford hits back at claims he “doesn’t care” about Manchester United anymore

Marcus Rashford has come under fire from Manchester United fans several times in recent seasons for a perceived lack of effort or care about playing for the club, but he’s hit back at these accusations.

Manchester United midfielder Marcus Rashford, 26, is an Academy product who has shown promise beyond what many players, at United or otherwise, could ever have hoped to achieve.

He started his senior football career with a Europa League brace and, even as recently as the 2022/23 season, was an absolute star for the Red Devils. Rashford combined for over 40 goals and assists in the team’s run back into the Champions League qualification spots.

This came after much speculation around Rashford, including links to PSG, and criticism from fans that he wasn’t giving it 100% on the pitch — criticism that has continued into current day.

Rashford on what Manchester United means to him

In a column in The Players’ Tribune, Rashford wrote at length about what it means to him to play for Manchester United, and hit back at those making accusations about his effort.

“People will actually think I’m weird when I start talking about what United means to me,” he stated. “Because if you’re not me, then I’m sure it almost sounds fake. But you have to understand, when I was young, playing for United was everything.”

Directly addressing the criticism, he added: “I’m not a perfect person. When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better. 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.”

He went on to reveal that he played two Academy games for another unnamed club who offered his family a home and cars, to “change his family’s life,” though he very quickly decided that the only option was to stay at United.

Finally, he said “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’s 2023/24 season thus far hasn’t been quite as successful as last year, with just 11 goals and assists in 32 matches across all competitions. Manchester United currently sits in 6th place.

Whether United can turn that around remains to be seen, but they will no doubt be gunning for a top 4 finish — especially as the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag continues to heat up.