Man United 'reward childish Marcus Rashford for bad behaviour'

Marcus Rashford’s leadership and behaviour at Man United this season have been slammed by Troy Deeney.

Former Watford striker Deeney was critical on TalkSPORT, both of the England attacker and the Red Devils for indulging him at his worst.

The club’s fortunes have also been poor as Erik ten Hag was sacked, and Ruben Amorim’s arrival over the international break has been tipped to see a position change.

Deeney said: “I don’t consider Marcus Rashford to be a leader, I don’t… I think he’s childish in his actions, in his behaviour, and dare I say it, at this moment in time he has started to act like Man Utd owe him a favour.”

When asked if Rashford has a “self-destruct button” the pundit replied: “Most young people do. He’s been thrust into a world that he probably thought again, I am not talking for him, I don’t want to say I’ve spoken to him about it, but he is certainly in a position where he would’ve thought, ‘Right, I’m gonna play for Man Utd, all I wanna do is play football’.

“And then the monetary gains, the celebrity, all of the things that come with it, do change people’s opinions and actions. We’ve been fortunate to be there ourselves. Things change naturally around you. It’s very difficult to be centred in that.”

Deeney also touched on the idea that Rashford may not be facing consequences for his poor performances, which could be contributing to his lack of improvement: “I just think when you look at it, he always gets rewarded for his bad behaviour. So why would he change it? If Man Utd keep giving him new contracts and keep playing him I said earlier in the season we spoke about this he has been poor but stays on, whereas [Alejandro] Garnacho might come off, or [Diogo] Dalot might come off, depending on which one it is. He does put his foot in it.”

Troy Deeney slams Man United star as Ruben Amorim arrives

Football Insider Opinion

After a standout 2022/23 campaign in which Rashford scored 30 goals across all competitions, this season has seen a dramatic decline in his form, with the winger managing only one league goal so far.

The 27-year-old’s positioning, decision-making, and finishing have been underwhelming, particularly in high-pressure moments.

The England international’s struggles are not only reflected in his lack of goals but also in his body language on the pitch.

In several matches, United’s forward has appeared visibly frustrated, often slumping his shoulders and showing signs of irritation after missed opportunities or when things don’t go his way. This shift in his demeanour is in stark contrast to the free-flowing, fearless football he displayed when he burst onto the scene as a teenager.

Rashford’s body language potentially suggests a significant dip in the mental resilience that previously made him a standout figure at Old Trafford. Rather than taking on defenders with the confidence and directness he’s known for he now appears hesitant, frequently second-guessing himself.

On several occasions, instead of driving forward, he opts to pass the ball backward to his full-back, signalling a lack of the attacking urgency and fearlessness that once defined his play.

If he could get back anywhere close to his best under Amorim the Portuguese would surely have a better chance of avoiding the fate of his Dutch predecessor.

In other news, Man United’s stance on Joshua Zirkzee’s future has been revealed.

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