'IT IS ABUSE' - MARCUS RASHFORD HITS BACK AT CRITICISM AS MAN UTD STAR VOWS 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 26-year-old has been a shadow of his former self, when he scored an impressive 30 goals during the 2022-23 season, as he has found the net only eight times across all competitions in this campaign. In lieu of his poor form and his lackadaisical body language on the pitch, the English forward has been subject to intense criticism from fans who want to see more from the senior player at Old Trafford.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In addition to struggling with form, Rashford was under scrutiny after being spotted at a nightclub in Belfast, shortly before reporting ill to first-team training at Carrington. Moreover, his decision to go to a nightclub, just hours after a derby defeat to Manchester City was frowned upon by the United faithful.

WHAT RASHFORD SAID

Responding to a supportive post on social media, Rashford acknowledged the ongoing abuse he has faced for months and asserted that it is time for it to stop.

X user UtdParadigm posted: "The way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting. It's cruel. It's abuse."

Just after midnight, the England forward quote tweeted the post and wrote. "I appreciate your support," he wrote. "It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough."

DID YOU KNOW?

Rashford had earlier responded to criticism in a free-flowing account with The Player's Tribune where he insisted that his "commitment" to the club remains paramount.

"Listen, I’m not a perfect person," he said in the interview with TPT. "When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better but if you ever question my commitment to Man United, that’s when I have to speak up.

"It’s like somebody questioning my entire identity, and everything I stand for as a man. I grew up here. I have played for this club since I was a boy. My family turned down life-changing money when I was a kid so I could wear this badge."

WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

Rashford was substituted during the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City as he limped off the Wembley pitch. This was followed by being omitted from the squad for the subsequent league fixture against Sheffield United due to a suspected injury. It remains to be seen if he attains match fitness ahead of United's clash against Burnley on Saturday at Old Trafford.