by Gary Neville has warned Marcus Rashford to “settle down” and avoid stigma attached to his name as a result of his off-field behaviour.
Rashford, 26, is thought to have been fined two weeks’ wages – around £650,000 – after going out on back-to-back nights out in Belfast last week only for a Manchester United reporter to fall ill the next day.
The Sun claimed Rashford went on a “12-hour tequila drinking spree” in Northern Ireland and had to be put to sleep after passing out at 3am.
United announced in a statement on Monday night that Rashford “took responsibility for his actions” following a crisis meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and director of football John Murtough which was also attended by his brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard.
After missing Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win at Newport County following the controversy, Rashford is back in training and available for selection for Thursday’s trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Neville says Rashford has always struck him as “really responsible” and a “good professional” but says it is important the England international does not allow his name to be associated with such lore in Belfast.
Earlier in the season, Ten Hag reprimanded Rashford after he went out into the early hours after the 3-0 derby win against Manchester City when he was training later that morning.
‘I’ve always seen Marcus as someone who is really responsible’
“Marcus himself knows – he’s an experienced player now, we’re not talking about a young lad – but he’s done it a few times in the last few months,” Neville told BBC Breakfast.
“I have always seen Marcus as a responsible person, a good professional and someone who works hard every day.
“I know he’s going through a dip in form at the moment but it’s happened twice and sometimes it can become your personality if you’re not careful.
“If you do it too many times people can start saying, ‘What’s going on in his life?’ He just needs to rest, relax, choose when to go out and get back to playing football at the levels we know he can.”
Rashford’s form has been repeated on the pitch where he has scored just four times for United this season, after being the club’s top scorer last term with 30.
Neville believes there is nothing wrong with a footballer letting their hair down sometimes but believes it is vital they do it at the right time.
“For me, going out for a drink or going out on a night out is something every football player will do and he should do that, I have no problem with that,” Neville added. “They have to enjoy it.
“It’s just about choices and timing. Manchester United have just had a winter break. They had a few weeks off so it was a better time for him to choose to go out. I would say, go out and have a moment to relax with your friends, but you have to have the right time.”
‘Marcus should be leading the team’
Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, believes that Rashford should be one of the players to lead United in their current struggles.
“Marcus should be the man leading that team,” the former United defender said on his FIVE YouTube channel. “None of us are saints. Scholesy [Paul Scholes], everyone thinks he’s the quietest guy but on a night out he was sometimes a loon. He would be out in the open, one of the last people to go home, but you want to do it at the right time.
“We had a good time. It would all go back to the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]. You must have the awareness, the manager is not the one who knows everything, the bloody world knows, you must be more diligent and careful. If he does that with Marcus now – he would go for a lot of money in the market.
“I hate talking about all these things outside the 90 minutes. But it is popping up consistently. It has been happening for years. We are discussing so many different situations, outside of the game and it is up to the club, the players and the manager to create a culture where people stay under control.”
‘Does the manager have confidence that the players will not be headliners front, center, back’
Ferdinand said United needed to get a handle on the constant negative headlines surrounding the players. “Who else is dealing with that kind of stupidity?’ he said. “Who else is dealing with these behavioral problems, these sagas, these great people who are doing what they think is right at the time?
“We are dealing with a person who is dealing with many issues that are under the spell of the community, we are the biggest club in the world. It is unprecedented. He’s not letting people off the hook, which I like.
“There is a point of trust. Can this manager be trusted that the players will not be headlines front, center, back? He can’t. He can’t trust them right now to let him focus on football.
“I think Erik ten Hag needs to be strong, solid and consistent. Where does he go now? Who does it follow? If he does it with Sancho there is Rashford or [Alejandro] Garnacho sitting there.”
Antony was placed on paid leave earlier in the season as he battles allegations of assault by an ex-girlfriend, which he vehemently denies. The Brazilian player claimed his first goal and assist of the season in the win at Newport and hopes it is a turning point.
“I have fought hard to reach the levels of play for this club, I know I can build on it [this] performance and continue to show my qualities,” he said. “I have pushed myself day after day for better performances, I will continue to dedicate myself completely to improving and playing the football that Manchester United hired me to do. The whole club, every fan, deserves the best from all of us. United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, where everyone wants to be and it’s where I want to build my story.”
Alan Shearer, the former England captain, claimed at the weekend that Rashford had “done something”. “Something is obviously wrong,” he said. “Either at home, or his relationship with the football club, because he can’t keep doing this. He cannot waste his talents.”
