Soccer

‘Enough is enough’: Marcus Rashford hits out after receiving months of abuse

Rashford responds to social media post supporting him, after a poor run of form with Manchester United

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has been the target for criticism this season. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has been the target for criticism this season. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
Jamie Jackson
Fri Apr 26 2024 - 16:21

Marcus Rashford has criticised the abuse he has received this season and said on social media “enough is enough”.

The forward is enduring a disappointing campaign in which he has scored only eight times in 41 appearances for Manchester United, having managed a career-high 30 goals last season. At 12.36am on Friday Rashford retweeted a post on X, formerly Twitter, that said: “The way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting. It’s cruel. It’s abuse.” Above this he wrote: “I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.”

Erik ten Hag defended his player when asked about it. “I have a lot of sympathy for Rashy,” the manager said. “Last year, he had a brilliant season, the best season in his career. He scored 30 goals. You see what he’s capable of. This season he didn’t give the performances and then people are very critical.

“I think we have to back him. Everyone should back him and push him to get back to the levels he was at last year. He needs support. We all know what he’s capable of. We all have to support but also push him. He can do better than he is doing this year and we have seen that last year when he was really brilliant.”

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During Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat of Sheffield United at Old Trafford there were jeers when Ten Hag took off Antony for Amad Diallo, perhaps owing to a view that the latter should have started instead of the Brazilian. Rashford was booed when taken off injured in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final shootout defeat of Coventry. Ten Hag was asked what players need to do to win over dissenting supporters.

“The fans are always behind us,” he said. “Wednesday on entering Old Trafford, when I heard the reception, it was louder than I’ve heard. Also away we are always supported and they back the team. I think there is a good connection between the team and fans.”

Mason Mount is available for Saturday’s visit of Burnley after injury, and Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martínez are expected to recover from their respective problems before the season’s end.