Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called upon Marcus Rashford to “put his football first” in order to meet the challenge at Manchester United.
“I know that we’ll see the best of Marcus in the years to come,” Solskjaer said in a press conference last week, as per CNN.
“He’s done remarkable things at a young age, but he’s now coming into the best age for a footballer.
“He’s learning, getting more experienced and he’s time to reflect on, you know, what he’s done off the pitch as well, because he’s done some fantastic things.
“Now maybe prioritiSe his football and focus on football, because he’s got a challenge on his hands here at Manchester United.
“He has a challenge on his hands to play for England, and I think Marcus is one of those who takes up those challenges and is going to do so.
“He’s going to express himself and his talent and he knows that we want a lot from him, but we’re going to give him the time to get back to what he was and what he can be.”
Personally, I haven’t felt Rashford is someone being weighed down by too much responsibility even though he has took on mammoth tasks to help people for the greater good, so I thought the comments were weird. It sounded like a man clearly under pressure and scraping at the barrel in attempt to get more out of his players.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Rashford’s entourage are understood to be upset at Solskjaer’s comments, even if no harm was meant. United claim that his quotes were misinterpreted (?) and that it is clear he was praising his player.
Marcus Rashford’s camp are understood to be upset at Solskjær’s “prioritise his football” comments, even if no harm was meant. #mufc argue Ole’s words were misinterpreted and that it is clear he was praising his player #mulive [@David_Ornstein]
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 18, 2021
Ultimately, Rashford didn’t need a warning. This is a player who played chunks of last season injured and still contributed goals, and I would go as far to say he’s been the best attacking player we’ve got under Solskjaer.
He is a footballer and human being that deserves praise on both accounts. Someone we are very proud to have developed at our football club.
