Man United star is receiving ‘personal abuse’ at Old Trafford, claims ex-striker

Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith has discussed the abuse Marcus Rashford receives, stating that he believes it has become personal.

Rashford, 26, has had a season filled with ups and downs for United. With seven Premier League goals, only Bruno Fernandes has more league goals for the club than the Englishman this season.

Despite this, the campaign has been underwhelming for both club and player, which has led to Rashford receiving unprecedented levels of abuse.

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After Manchester United lost the 2021 Europa League final, Rashford would receive and report over 70 cases of racial abuse. Additionally, after EURO 2020, Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka received unprecedented levels of abuse.

Following the latter incident, Rashford admitted to former Manchester United captain Gary Neville that he had “maybe lost my love for football a little bit [after being racially abused following Euro 2020].

Away from the pitch was the infamous Dublin nightclub incident from January of this year, which served as the catalyst for several ex-players to discuss Rashford’s personal life at length.

Former United striker Alan Smith believes this prying should stop, as it has become a matter of speculation without knowing the facts. He explained that he believes the abuse has changed from football criticism to personal abuse.

“It’s always difficult for anyone to really know [what is going on],” Smith told FourFourTwo.

“It’s a bit of a generational thing. Criticism of someone’s football has always been an acceptable thing and [has] always been the case, any player has always been through the good and the bad opinions.

“You want to know that your teammates are the ones that know what you’re doing for the team and the manager, and that’s all that matters.

“Outside of that, it becomes a bit more personal. No one knows what’s going on behind closed doors and I do think that’s where the line has to be drawn. Once it becomes personal, then it’s a different story.

“I feel like you can question someone’s performance, but the line is crossed when you’re questioning someone’s integrity and people have a reaction to it, that becomes the issue.

“Then it becomes a pointless debate about people that people know nothing about. It becomes personal, and you’re not talking about someone’s football ability.”