The name Marcus Rashford rarely leaves the headlines, and his current situation at Manchester United only amplifies the spotlight. Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, Rashford’s early exclusion from the squad has fuelled speculation about his future. Reports suggest Rashford is willing to return to action if called upon and holds no ill will toward Amorim. Yet, other rumours hint at his desire for a fresh start, with Barcelona reportedly a top destination as his transfer saga looms over January.
We spoke with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker, who didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Rashford, questioning the forward’s commitment and hinting at deeper issues surrounding his stagnation.
Rashford Is “Living Off Being a Local Boy”
Rashford last played for Manchester United on December 12th in a Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen. He hasn’t featured since and was an unused substitute in the 3-0 loss to Newcastle on December 30th. Despite his absence, Rashford’s future remains a hot topic. Reports claim the academy graduate is ready to revive his career at Old Trafford, should the opportunity arise.
Parker, however, finds the situation laughable, criticising Rashford for relying too heavily on his local hero status and past achievements.
“It’s laughable, to be perfectly honest. This has happened too many times. We hear stories about him doing extra training and working hard. It’s not about just working hard in training—it’s about giving everything on the pitch,” Parker said.
He added: “He’s living off being a local boy and the season he had two years ago. The local boy has to remember he has to grab hold of this opportunity. What will he do if things don’t go his way? If he comes back into the team and starts working hard, it’ll make you question why he wasn’t doing it in the first place.”
The Rise and Stall of a Star
Rashford hit his peak in the 2022/23 season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions—the first United player to achieve that since Robin van Persie in the 2012/13 title-winning season. Beyond the pitch, his activism, particularly his campaign for free school meals for children during the 2021 holidays, elevated him to national hero status.
While Rashford’s charitable efforts were widely praised, Parker believes they may have also become a distraction and hindered his development. Parker is equally critical of Manchester United’s decision to award Rashford a lucrative contract, suggesting it set him up for failure.
“The club and the people that allowed him to be paid that money should be held liable for what’s going on. They overfed an upcoming young player. They got mugged into it and caused a negative impact on his career.”
The Price of Fame and Activism
Parker also questioned the decision to let Rashford balance football and high-profile activism so early in his career.
“Why was he allowed to do that? He was just starting to prove himself as a player, and then he put himself out there. You couldn’t say anything about him or criticise him because he was feeding kids,” Parker remarked.
The former defender didn’t hold back on criticising Rashford’s inner circle either, suggesting they’re benefiting from his success without considering his long-term well-being.
“He put himself in the firing line, and now the people working for him are working for themselves. They’ve probably got nice cars off the back of it, but where will they be ten to fifteen years after his career has finished?”
A Fresh Start Needed?
For Parker, Rashford’s future at Manchester United looks bleak. The solution, he believes, lies away from Old Trafford.
“He’s got to leave Manchester United and prove it to himself—not to anyone else, but to himself—that he can be a professional footballer,” Parker concluded.
Manchester United are set to return to action on Thursday, as they host Scottish giants Rangers in the Europa League. The Red Devils are priced at 21/50 on bet365 to come out on top against Rangers, in a game they’ll be desperate to secure a morale-boosting win from.
