Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has reportedly lost the support of his teammates after admitting he’s ready to leave Old Trafford. The England international’s recent comments have sparked controversy within the dressing room, with some players said to be “fuming” over the timing and nature of his statements.
Rashford was notably dropped for Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Manchester City in the Derby and was absent from the squad for their subsequent Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham. Reports had already suggested that Man Utd was open to “top offers” for the forward, but his public declaration has added fuel to the fire.
Speaking to journalist Henry Winter, Rashford confirmed his desire for a “new challenge” and emphasized his intention to leave the club without causing controversy:
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps. When I leave, it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United.”
While Rashford framed his remarks as respectful, the reaction within the club has been less forgiving. According to The Sun, Rashford has “lost the dressing room” with teammates reportedly upset by his unauthorized interview. A source claimed that the timing of his comments, which coincided with a visit to his old primary school, overshadowed their victory over City and disrupted team morale ahead of the Tottenham match.
“Some of the players are really annoyed at what Marcus said and why he chose to say it at that time,” the source explained. “They were all buzzing after beating City, and then he basically put in a transfer request after being dropped for one game.”
Rashford, who has been part of Manchester United’s first team for eight years, has also been criticized for his lack of leadership. Following the departures of close friends like Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, he has reportedly become more isolated in the squad.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in, arguing that Rashford’s approach harms both his standing at the club and Manchester United’s ability to negotiate a transfer:
“For Rashford to do that, to come out without the club having any knowledge of it and just announce he wants to leave, that leaves the club in a really poor position… You keep your mouth shut, you battle, and you hope that you get a little chance.”
As Manchester United navigates this turbulent period, Rashford’s future remains uncertain. Whether he leaves in January or at the end of the season, the fallout from his comments will likely be a defining moment in his relationship with the club and its fans.
