Rio Ferdinand has insisted that “people deserve a second chance” after England star Marcus Rashford managed to revive his career away from Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford was offloaded from the Manchester United first-team squad during the 2024-25 campaign after he lost his place in the starting XI under Ruben Amorim.
The 28-year-old United forward made the move to Aston Villa for the second half of last season and Rashford was able to resecure his place in the England squad.
Rashford returned to Old Trafford in the summer after his loan deal with Aston Villa expired, with the Premier League club declining the option to sign him permanently.
The former Villa star’s time at United finally came to an end again in the summer after Barcelona made a stunning move for Rashford and signed him on loan.
Rio Ferdinand explains what happened to Barcelona summer signing Marcus Rashford at Man Utd
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a successful spell at the Camp Nou so far and the on-loan Manchester United player is a key part of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona plans.
The former Aston Villa forward has netted six times and registered nine assists in 16 matches across all competitions for Barcelona in the 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Rashford would always be seen doing the ‘wrong thing’ at United, whether it was on the pitch or off it.
“Marcus couldn’t do anything right while he was here towards the end,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“No matter what he [did], if he went and fed kids, people would have said he’s doing it for fame. He’s doing it to be in the spotlight.
“If he’d gone and put a video of him training, they’ll say, ‘Ah, he’s trying to prove to us that he’s working. Is he really working?’”
Who should start as striker for Man Utd with Benjamin Sesko injured?
United legend Ferdinand added: “Whatever he [did[, and listen, there’s certain things that I may not have agreed with what he was doing or what was rumoured to have happened, whatever. But at the end of the day, people deserve a second chance.
“People deserve that comeback. People deserve to go and put their name back up in lights.
“Like, he came on the scene and was doing things that were people going, ‘Wow, the kids all around the country, not just Man United fans, getting Rashford on the back of their shirts, right?’ That just doesn’t fall away.”
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand talks up Marcus Rashford’s resurgence in form and his role for England
Rashford has remained in contention for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America after his stunning run of form at Barcelona.
The United talent made an impact for the Three Lions during the November break after he came off the bench and picked up an assist against Albania in the 2-0 win.
“But there are things that go on off the pitch that can really impact your playing career,” Ferdinand continued.
“And I’m just pleased that anything that’s gone on behind the scenes with Marcus Rashford hasn’t deterred him completely and he’s just fallen off a cliff.
“Yes, he fell off the standards. He fell off where he’d got himself to, but he’s creeping back up […].”
When discussing Rashford’s impact for England, Ferdinand explained: “If he times his run as well as Harry Kane’s time [as] he’s running in the box at the moment, by the time we get to the World Cup, we’re going to be a threat.
“You know, because again, Marcus, the way he’s running in behind again, the way he’s putting defenders on the back foot immediately. I love this.”
Barcelona agreed to sign Rashford from United back in July on a 12-month loan deal and can make his move permanent in 2026 for a £30.3m transfer fee.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
