Troy Deeney has raised concerns about Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United, claiming new manager Ruben Amorim is already showing signs of frustration with the forward.
Rashford got the Amorim era off to a bright start, scoring within two minutes against Ipswich Town and following up with a brace in a 4-0 win over Everton.
However, his early promise quickly faded. Rashford was benched for United’s Premier League match against Arsenal, where his lackluster 30-minute cameo earned widespread criticism.
He stayed on the bench for the following game against Nottingham Forest and was subbed off early in United’s Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen despite starting the match.
Now in his ninth season at Old Trafford, Rashford is struggling to rediscover his best form. Reports suggest the academy graduate could be sold amid his recent exclusion from the England squad.
Writing in The Sun, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney didn’t hold back in his criticism, questioning Rashford’s attitude and work ethic.
“Marcus Rashford looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders,” Deeney wrote.
“Everything is always somebody else’s fault, and his application stinks. He’s still capable of moments—it wouldn’t surprise me if he scores the winner against Manchester City this weekend and then disappears for weeks. That’s the cycle with him.”
Deeney went on to highlight a recurring pattern: “Every time a new manager comes in, you see a ‘new Rashford’ for a few games, but then he slips back into old habits.
He gets dropped, and frustration builds. It’s already happening with Ruben Amorim, who looked fed up when Rashford was subbed off against Viktoria Plzen.
Amorim said he’d support him, but ultimately, it’s up to Rashford as a player and a person. That’s where the problem lies.”
Deeney, who was present for United’s recent loss to Arsenal, didn’t hold back on Rashford’s performance that day: “He was a disgrace.”
Looking ahead, Deeney suggested a fresh start abroad might be Rashford’s best option.
“If I were advising him, I’d say go abroad, but even then, I’m not sure how it would pan out,” he said.
Manchester United, currently 13th in the Premier League, head to the Etihad Stadium this Sunday to face a struggling Manchester City.
Despite their poor league position, United come off the back of a midweek 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen, where they overcame a mistake by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Meanwhile, City sit fourth in the table, eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, as they prepare for the derby clash.