Manchester United have ‘rewarded rubbish behaviour’ by keeping Marcus Rashford amid the forward’s struggles.
That’s according to former Watford and Birmingham star Troy Deeney, who believes the 27-year-old is a shadow of the player the world knows he can be.
Just 18 months ago, Rashford appeared to have turned a corner after scoring 30 goals for United across all competitions.
His form has nosedived in the time since, however, with the England international struggling for consistency under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
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Deeney, writing for The Sun, has now blasted the forward and questioned his desire to be an elite player.
“I want Marcus Rashford to succeed, to be the player we know he can be,” he said.
“But we are now on a slippery slope of performances dropping at Manchester United — and nothing is changing from new manager to new manager.
“So, I have to ask him: Do you even want to do this? Do you want to play football?
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“It’s not an easy game, or an easy life. People think it is because of the amount of money and all that but there is a lot of nonsense that goes on in the background, a lot of stresses.
“And I don’t see a scenario in the next few months, or years, where he flips it on his head and all of a sudden comes good.
“Or he turns around and says: ‘I’m gonna prove you all wrong’.
“That makes me genuinely sad, especially because I know this will be weighing on him mentally long-term.”
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After Rashford’s 30-goal exploits, United gave him a lucrative contract in the summer of 2023.
That decision has backfired, with the England international regressing and struggling to live up to his huge reputation.
And Deeney believes United have a problem of their own making, insisting they’ve ‘rewarded rubbish behaviour’.
He continued: “United have bought this problem on themselves.
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Troy Deeney has accused Man Utd of ‘rewarding rubbish behaviour’ by keeping Marcus Rashford
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“They have created this person by continuing to reward rubbish behaviour and performances with massive, unwarranted contracts.
“He has been brought through as the academy favourite, the golden boy, yet when adversity hits, he thinks everyone is against him, instead of facing up and focusing on himself.
“And it is the same old cycle. A new manager comes in and for three of four games you see a ‘new Rashford’ and then he slips back into his old ways and old form.”
Reports have suggested United could cut Rashford loose when the transfer window reopens in January.
Man Utd star Marcus Rashford has struggled for consistency ahead of Sunday’s clash with Man City
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Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have been mooted as potential suitors, though a summer exit is far more likely.
Rashford’s immediate focus will be on helping United to beat fierce rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
He has a good goalscoring record against Pep Guardiola’s side – but whether Ruben Amorim unleashes him from the start remains to be seen.
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