Marcus Rashford believes Man United legends are ‘BULLYING him’, with dropped England star feeling criticism is an ‘onslaught’ and ‘beyond unfair’ amid his poor run of form

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford reportedly views the media criticism from former club players as ‘bullying’ and ‘extremely unfair.’ Rashford has had a challenging start to the season, failing to score so far and only managing seven Premier League goals last season.

According to the i, Rashford believes the scrutiny he faces differs from that of his teammates.

A source told the i: ‘When others make mistakes, they go unnoticed, but when Marcus errs, it’s a different story. The level of criticism directed at him is overwhelming and feels like bullying. Supporters tend to believe the opinions of senior ex-players, which exacerbates the situation.

‘The club has invested £100 million in central strikers, but Marcus is playing out wide as a facilitator, and he’s fulfilling that role. It’s not his fault that chances are being missed.’

Recent critics of Rashford include former United players Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Teddy Sheringham, along with frequent criticism from United supporters on social media.

During the international break, Rashford engaged in rigorous personal training to prove he can regain his best form for United and secure his place in the England squad.

Despite his goal drought, Rashford continues to create numerous opportunities for United, and there is a belief among his camp that many of the club’s players have struggled under Erik ten Hag.

Rashford, with 60 caps for England, was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad and was also left out of interim boss Lee Carsley’s initial selection.

Neville criticized Rashford’s performance in United’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool, expressing concern about the attacker’s lack of confidence.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘There’s no confidence. He had a one-on-one with Konate and ended up back at centre-back. United fans won’t let him get away with that. Regardless of the circumstances, he needs to seize those one-on-one situations. He may not be having a great day, but turning back shows where his mindset is.

‘It’s been 14 months; he scored 30 goals the season before last. I hope he can regain his confidence, but it seems like a struggle. The game doesn’t seem enjoyable for him right now, which is unfortunate.’

In April, Keane suggested that Rashford needed ‘an old-fashioned kick up the backside.’

On the Stik To Football podcast, Keane said: ‘I wouldn’t say I’m worried about him, but something seems off. Who is giving him a firm push and saying, ‘Come on, we need more from you’? If you want to be a leader and are on big contracts, you have that responsibility.’

Sheringham, meanwhile, commented that Rashford’s best position remains unclear and emphasized that Rashford must work hard to overcome his current slump.

Speaking to Ladbrokes’ ‘Gaffer of All Gaffers,’ Sheringham said: ‘He’s undoubtedly having a tough time. He lacks leaders around him to support him; he’s struggling, and the rest of the players are just telling him to get on with it. You need players who will rally around you. You improve your performance through hard work and demonstrating that you truly care.’
Marcus Rashford’s current struggles and the intense criticism he’s facing have clearly impacted him. The criticism from former United players like Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Teddy Sheringham, along with social media backlash, seems to have exacerbated the pressure on him. Rashford feels that he’s being unfairly singled out compared to his teammates, who might not face the same level of scrutiny for their mistakes.

Rashford’s recent personal training efforts and focus during the international break reflect his determination to overcome this challenging period. Despite not finding the back of the net yet this season, he continues to contribute with chances created and remains a vital part of the team’s attack.

The perspectives from critics highlight various concerns: Neville is worried about Rashford’s confidence and mindset, Keane is calling for a more assertive approach, and Sheringham emphasizes the need for support and hard work to navigate through this tough phase.