Alan Shearer has penned a column analysing his career alongside Marcus Rashford’s, with the two players being local lads for the teams they’ve represented.
The Manchester United forward has come under heavy criticism this week following his dismal showing at St. James’ Park on Saturday night, and fans are quickly losing patience with Rashford; he’s on the back of his most prolific season to date, having netted 30 goals for the first time in his career, but has failed to replicate anywhere near such form this term – he has just two goals to his name thus far.
Given that he’s a Carrington graduate as well as born and raised in Wythenshawe, the 26-year-old has always had more credit in the bank with supporters than other players. He’s homegrown and a United fan himself, so even if he hasn’t been fully firing, the expectation has always been that he’s at least giving 110 per cent.
Shearer weighs in
Writing in The Athletic, Shearer said: “A lot of new signings at Old Trafford haven’t proven to be successful over the years and Rashford has had to carry the team on his shoulders at times because of that, but that’s simply what is expected of you as a local lad.”
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re allowed a bad game or a poor touch,” he continued. “You’re allowed not to be happy with yourself or those around you every now and again, too, but you can’t have a few poor performances in a row. You can’t have a bad run. And if — or when — you do, you have to still put in the work.
“One thing that’s not acceptable is not running around, not tracking back and not looking bothered. That goes for any player, but especially one local to the club. Fans know they would try to cover every blade of grass if given a chance to wear the shirt and as their embodiment on the pitch, that’s the least they expect from you.
Whether Marcus likes it or not, I and many others watching him at the weekend — whether they were Manchester United fans or not — saw a player lacking in desire.”
