As Marcus Rashford continues to face criticism for his recent behavior off the pitch, Gary Neville thinks that a lot of people at Manchester United are briefing against Rashford.
Earlier this week, the 26-year-old was the focus of an “internal disciplinary” issue when it was revealed he partied in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Thursday night before missing training on Friday.
The issue has been since resolved by the club with reports claiming Rashford was fined two weeks’ wages by the club. The forward has “taken responsibility” for his conduct, according to manager Erik Ten Hag, who reiterated on Wednesday that the disciplinary process was resolved.
Just four goals have been scored by the striker in his 20 Premier League games this season. Rashford has looked out of touch, out of focus and sometimes disinterested.
After recent stories in the national media, United great Neville feels that some within the United dressing room are plotting against Rashford, at a time when the 26-year-old needs a dose of tough love.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said:
“This morning, reading the headlines in the newspapers and the stories, it feels to me that there’s a few people briefing against him, because there are things in there that his teammates are sick of him, he’s distant in the dressing room, there’s things that have come out that mean there are people in the dressing room – or connected to the dressing room.
“Sometimes you think about support in the dressing room – who is grabbing a hold of him in that dressing room and saying, ‘Sort your s**t out’.”
This is not the first time Rashford has been on the wrong side of a disciplinary issue. Earlier in the season, he was pictured at a birthday party after United’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in October.
My God, I get sick and tired reading what these geriatric has-beens have to say about some of the ManU players. Keane, Neville and all the rest should stick their head in a bucket of water and leave the players alone.
OK, so the predecessors that fought and bled for the badge, earning the club it’s global reputation should just sit and watch while a bunch of unprofessional buffoons ruin what they worked their whole life. The name and legacy they created. You are really smart.