Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has slammed his critics for questioning his commitment to the club. Rashford admitted he is the first one to admit his mistakes but feels frustrated when his commitment is questioned.
The England forward hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing season for the Red Devils as he has scored only five goals and has provided two assists in 25 matches in the Premier League.
Earlier in the season, Rashford came under the scanner when he missed training after calling in sick amid reports he had attended a nightclub in Belfast the previous evening.
“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,” the forward wrote for The Players’ Tribune.
“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.
“If you start questioning my commitment to this club and my love for football then I’d simply ask you to have a bit more humanity.”
Meanwhile, Rashford was at his absolute best in the previous season, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 35 matches of the Premier League. But he hasn’t been able to replicate the same performance in the ongoing season.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rashford launched a child food poverty campaign but feels his off-the-field charity work drew criticism.
“I was just trying to use my voice to make sure that kids weren’t going hungry because I know exactly how it feels,” he said. “For some reason, that seemed to rub certain people the wrong way.
“It seems like they’ve been waiting for me to have a human moment so they can point the finger and say, ‘See? See who he really is?’”
It has been a disappointing season for Manchester United as they are currently placed in sixth position in the points table. However, Rashford is optimistic of turning the tide in the club’s favor.
“I promise you, the world has not seen the best of this United squad and these players. We want to be back playing in the Champions League,” Rashford said.
“We just have to keep working, and that starts with me.”
Manchester United will next face derby rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.