Paul Merson says under-fire Manchester United star has just done something he never once did in his career

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has become football’s big talking point after missing the team’s game against Newport.

Marcus Rashford was not part of Manchester United’s squad to face Newport County in the FA Cup, reported by the club to be ill.

Manager Erik ten Hag said after the game that it was an ‘internal matter’, learning from the Jadon Sancho situation perhaps, not to go into too much detail, amid claims from The Athletic that Rashford had been at a nightclub before subsequently missing training.

Rashford too, mercifully kept a dignified silence on social media, rather than inflaming the situation.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2024, ins, outs, loan moves

Rashford does not seem right

There has seemed to be something wrong with Marcus Rashford all season. Even in pre-season he didn’t look right, and his lackadaisical performances on the pitch have shone a real spotlight on his off-kilter demeanour.

Rashford has actually improved in recent weeks, but there was some heavy criticism in early December, with his body language picked apart by pundits in the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Now, Rashford’s professionalism is coming into question. Why go to Belfast at all days before a FA Cup game, let alone decide to go to a nightclub. It’s poor judgement more than anything else, and is a problem his manager does not need.

Paul Merson calls out Rashford

Former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson has criticised the Manchester United striker, claiming that even in his heavy-drinking days in the 90s, he never once missed a training session.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “I feel for Erik ten Hag, especially after his incident with Marcus Rashford. The Dutchman did well to bite his tongue and say he would sort it out internally, but he can’t have players going to nightclubs and failing to show up for training!

“I never missed a day of training in my professional career even if I only got in at 6am, so I really feel for the manager here.”

Rashford and his agent were spotted at Carrington on Monday, The Telegraph reported, with Manchester United last night issuing a club statement attempting to draw a line under the matter and move on.

READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group