Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing critique of Marcus Rashford, claiming the out-of-favour forward has "let his teammates down" and should be "banished" from the dressing room.
Rashford, who has not played for United since December 12, has been repeatedly excluded from manager Ruben Amorim’s squad, apart from one game where he remained an unused substitute.
On Sunday, Amorim made a pointed remark about Rashford’s lack of effort, saying he would prefer to include 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital in the squad over the 27-year-old forward.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes pulled no punches in his assessment of Rashford’s attitude. "I think Marcus has let a lot of people down really, with his attitude, and I think that's what the manager is trying to say," said the United legend, who won 11 Premier League titles during his illustrious career.
Scholes emphasized the influence Rashford should have on younger players, such as Alejandro Garnacho, given his experience and age. "He's 27 years of age, and he's clearly not training properly. Young players are looking up to him, and he’s setting the wrong example."
Drawing from his own experiences, Scholes shared a moment when former manager Sir Alex Ferguson admonished him for letting down his teammates, likening that situation to Rashford’s current predicament.
"Marcus is doing exactly the same. He’s not outright refusing to play, but his behavior and lack of effort in training essentially say, 'I don’t want to be involved.'"
Scholes concluded with a harsh verdict: "The fact he’s letting his teammates down in that dressing room means he should be banished. If young players see this as an example, the sooner he’s gone, the better."
Scholes’ criticism follows similarly strong remarks from former United defender Rio Ferdinand. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand said there was "no way back" for Rashford following Amorim’s damning comments.
The England forward, who stated in December he was ready for a "new challenge" after being omitted from the squad to face Manchester City, has been linked with potential moves to Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. However, his reported £300,000-a-week ($374,000) salary, on a contract running until 2028, presents a significant obstacle to any January transfer.
Rashford has been a key player for United in the past, scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club. But with his current situation at odds with the team’s expectations, his long-term future at Old Trafford looks increasingly uncertain.
