Rio Ferdinand has reacted to the rumours surrounding Marcus Rashford’s future, suggesting the forward doesn’t look happy at Manchester United anymore.
The media’s focus is back on Manchester United after a series of events transpired over the weekend. Even before they took to the field against Manchester City, news broke out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the derby, which was then followed by a heavy defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men at the Etihad.
While the defeat came as a setback in their quest for the fourth spot, fans were hit hard over suggestions that star man Marcus Rashford was considering his future at the club. While nothing is confirmed till now, there cannot be smoke without fire.
Ralf Rangnick has continued to overlook the England international from his plans, with Rashford concerned with the lack of playing time. He is already linked with a move to rival Premier League sides, although Manchester United can extend his current deal that lasts until 2023.
Whatever happens with his future, the fans are concerned with the player’s current situation and the club’s plight in recent weeks. One man who seemed deeply hurt by those rumours involving Rashford was former United defender Rio Ferdinand. He spoke at length on his YouTube channel Vibe with Five (h/t Manchester Evening News) about the forward and his current situation.
Ferdinand said, “That’s thrown me; I’ve got to be honest. If that’s real, I can’t believe it’s real. You can only talk like that when you’re playing well. You can only talk like that when you’re putting in performances and banging balls in the back of the net consistently — and Marcus isn’t doing that right now. He hasn’t played well for a while now.”
“He doesn’t look happy at United; I’ve got to be honest. I watch Marcus, and I feel like he has got the weight of the world on his shoulders. He doesn’t look happy, and I don’t know what it is. The Marcus Rashford that came in at Man United. When he blazed through, he came in, and you thought, ‘oh my God, this is another product of that youth team conveyor belt coming through with energy, with spark, with quality, with class, aggression and a work ethic’.”
“I don’t know where that information has come from, but I hope it hasn’t come from Marcus’ camp because I would be embarrassed if that was my camp; if I was a player and wasn’t scoring, which is my job,” Ferdinand further added.
“To be looking at his future and assessing his future, especially with the climate that we are in now with Man United, with the club struggling, being at a low-ebb, lacking confidence and being called out for how bad they are, to be looking at your future, you have to be playing well before talking like that, I’m sorry.”
Rashford has had a disappointing campaign, scoring just five goals in 24 matches in all competitions. The 24-year-old has not been a regular part of the starting lineup under Rangnick and it remains to be seen if his situation improves in the weeks to come.
