Gary Neville is ‘worried’ by Marcus Rashford’s body language and fears he no longer enjoys playing for Manchester United, though Roy Keane believes the forward just needs a ‘kick up the arse’.
Rashford was virtually anonymous in his side’s 1-1 draw with Brentford at the weekend while he has only netted eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions this season.
The 26-year-old was fined two weeks’ wages at the start of the year after skipping training following a night out in Belfast, while his mum recently revealed that he had been struggling with the death of both his cousin and a close family friend.
Neville feels there is something still weighing Rashford down and affecting his performances and does not believe he is happy playing for United right now.
Bringing up the topic of Rashford’s struggles this season on Sky Bet’s latest Stick to Football episode, Neville said: ‘I don’t know how to say this, but to me there is something not right. He’s not right.
‘And it’s not just a case that he’s not playing football well, he doesn’t look happy. And I’m looking at him thinking, I’m actually worried about him.
‘You know when you watch a player and you think actually there’s something there. We know there’s obviously been a couple of incidents this season, we know he’s come under a bit of pressure and his form was bad. We know that.
‘But I look at him and I think, that’s not right that. I genuinely would worry about him at this moment in time because it’s not a lad that’s grown up with the spirit and freedom of playing for United as a kid.’
Rio Ferdinand, making a guest appearance on the show, replied: ‘It’s a pivotal moment in his career now. He’s not a kid anymore.
‘A lot of people look at potential and talent. He’s 26 – what were you [the panel] doing at 26? We were still making mistakes, don’t get me wrong, but on the football pitch you had it locked down, you knew what you were doing, you knew what you were about, who you were.
‘There’s a big decision to make for him. From him, he’s got to look at who is around him. I know his family play a big part with him, which is great, but who are the external people around that?
‘Are they the right people, are they enabling him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors, or are they saying, “Look at yourself, and be accountable for what you are doing”? He needs to look at that and own that and make big decisions.’
Roy Keane, though, was rather less sympathetic, saying: ‘There’s no question mark about his ability, he’s outstanding – but there’s something amiss with him. We’ve had these conversations every few months – a player can have an off-spell or a dip, but he’s certainly not enjoying his football.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m worried about him, but you look at him and there’s something amiss. The people around him, whether it be family or his manager, who’s on his case every day. Who is giving him an old-fashioned kick up the arse and saying, “Come on, we need more from you”.
‘If you wish to hold this position and you're on the major deals, then you have that duty.
'I don't believe that is occurring, I don't think there is anyone on his case. That doesn't mean he can't still perform and start moving more. He has been with the club for a long time, since he was a child.'
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