At the highest level of sport – across all disciplines – society paints a picture of good and bad – heroes and villains – for the daily portrayal of something more sinister.
In England, the media is responsible for the rise and fall of many of football’s ascending talents – with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford regularly competing with a target on his back.
One of our own – dedicated to aiding in the development of his boyhood club – while fulfilling the roles of government in supporting underprivileged children, his stature should be applauded.
But, off the back of a frustrating campaign – something of a bewildering expectation in 2024 – the future of the 26-year-old is uncertain.
Why does the attacker cut the image of a dejected footballer, and why have so many Reds thrown in their towel for this love/hate relationship with a player who could lead his club into a new dawn?
Assessing Rashford’s 2023/24 campaign
With the door closing on the strangest season for the Red Devils – ultimately culminating in the Wembley high against Manchester City – the Wythenshawe man struggled to kick on from a sublime showing 12 months prior.
With 43 appearances and 3057 minutes played across all competitions, he supplied eight goals and five assists, often cutting the figure of a player who would rather be anywhere but the Theatre of Dreams.
We must remember that he catapulted himself into the conversation as a leading European attacker the previous campaign – earning a contract extension until 2028 worth a staggering £325,000 per week.
All of this came off the back of 30 goals and ten assists from 56 appearances, resulting in an outcry from the fanbase with his omission from Ballon d’Or consideration.
For many, the absence of Luke Shaw – often the catalyst for positivity during attacking phases – throughout an injury-ravaged season that saw a paltry 15 appearances is the fundamental reason surrounding the bizarre dip in form for Rashford.
The pair possess a notable understanding while on the field – each recognising overlapping runs and opportune moments to release the most intricate of through balls.
It is not a coincidence that some of the finest moments in the attacker’s output arise with his compatriot bursting down the flank – drawing the defence and opening pockets of space.
You’d not be surprised to learn that Shaw is regularly a target for media critique and ‘supporter’ agitation through multiple channels.
An unnecessary burden that the pair share weekly. But people will tell you it is ok because professional athletes earn enough to take it on the chin.
Euro 2024 selection anguish
Following the announcement of Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for the Euro 2024 training camp, Rashford was a notable omission.
But, for many, this was expected following several poor outings and heavily publicised off-the-field incidents, such as his January trip to Belfast, which, as reported by the DailyMail, resulted in a “12-hour tequila bender.”
As you can see in the video below, Southgate had warned the winger to be on his best behaviour for the remainder of the campaign – inevitably missing training for his club and receiving a £650,000 fine from Erik ten Hag.
At the time of his trip to Ireland, United were in the midst of their winter break – having drawn 2-2 with Spurs on January 14.
The first-team squad trained on Wednesday the 24th, with Ten Hag sanctioning Thursday as a rest day for the players. Rashford – and his teammates – were instructed to report for duty on Friday before their FA Cup Sunday trip to Newport County on January 28.
As highlighted by the DailyMail, in a manner befitting a detective log, Rashford would spend Thursday day and night indulging, inevitably calling in sick for training Friday, being dropped from the fixture Sunday and returning to first-team duties on Monday.
He is not the first footballer to blow off some steam – especially at Manchester United – but the social media presence in 2024 will accelerate a story behind imagination.
If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.
On February 29, Rashford released a public piece in the Players Tribune entitled ‘Who I Really Am.’
He did so following intense speculation surrounding his desire to wear the United shirt – aiming to solidify his commitment to his boyhood institution.
With endless reports, tweets and podcasts criticising his body language on the field and his attitude as a senior member of the first team, the player moved to rubbish the suggestion.
“I was just trying to use my voice to make sure that kids weren’t going hungry because I know exactly how it feels,” he wrote in the Players Tribune.
“For some reason, that seemed to rub certain people the wrong way. It seems like they’ve been waiting for me to have a human moment so they can point the finger and say, “See? See who he really is?”
The United star elaborated on his difficulties growing up and his ultimate desire to play football at Old Trafford – signing off with “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”
Lining out against fierce rivals Manchester City three days later, he sent the Ethihad into disbelief with a candidate for Goal of the Season after eight minutes – the ideal response to his mic-drop statement.
Ten Hag’s side would lose by three goals to one, with compatriot Phil Foden stealing the show with a brace. But the Old Trafford faithful had a hint of hope that their superstar was back!
Continued woe and injury
Following his thunderbolt against the Blues, Rashford would score only two more in ten outings, failing to register an assist in the process.
Unfortunately, his body language continued to frustrate his one-time supporters, with many convinced he was not worthy of a starting birth.
Injury, fitness and form ruled him out of four crucial Premier League fixtures at the tail-end of the season.
Frustration with a lack of playing time and endless abuse from small sections of the ground came to a boiling point ahead of a 3-2 victory against Newcastle, with the player responding to a crowd member.
What is next for Rashford and Manchester United
Many have questioned the imagery of emotion on the face of Rashford following the final whistle of the club’s Wembley triumph.
Speculation is mounting that he is facing an exit from the club he holds so dear – despite committing his future with his contract extension last summer.
However, lost within the media storm of potential destinations for the Manchester local is his manager’s evident support – given his start and 74-minute role during the London showpiece last weekend.
Having risen through the prestigious academy at United, Rashford will be aware that the club remains larger than any player.
The topic will be even more critical with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos powerhouse, as the new hierarchy aims to build a winning formula at the club.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Will the former Fallowfield boy take his talents elsewhere, or does he have the mental fortitude to lead his boyhood club into a bright new future?
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