Rashford asks critics to ‘have a bit more humanity’

AFP, London :
Marcus Rashford says he can take “any headline” but asked his critics to show a “bit more humanity” before they question his commitment to Manchester United and love of football.

The England forward has struggled this season, scoring just five times for his under-performing club side-in stark contrast to last season, when he scored a career-best 30 goals for United.

Rashford has also faced criticism over his off-field conduct.

Reports in late January suggested Rashford had spent an evening at a Belfast nightclub before missing training with United.

And United manager Erik ten Hag branded Rashford’s decision to go to a separate nightclub event after October’s 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester City “unacceptable”.

But Rashford, writing in The Players’ Tribune on Thursday, said he wanted to put his side of the story.

“So 99 percent of the time, I can ignore the noise,” he said. “But sometimes, certain lines get crossed, and I can’t help but want people to just understand who I am as a person”.

He added he understands the media “game”.

“They’re not really writing about me,” he said. “It’s like they’re writing about this character, ‘Marcus Rashford’.

It can’t just be about me as a 26-year-old lad on a night out, or a lad getting a parking ticket.”