Ex-Manchester United defender believes ‘outstanding’ player has unfairly become a ‘target’

Former Manchester United player and current pundit Phil Bardsley argues that Marcus Rashford has been unfairly by fans and media.

After a season-best 30-goal season in 2022/23, Marcus Rashford has struggled to find consistent form at Old Trafford this season.

Because of this, the 26-year-old has been subject to significant criticism from Manchester United fans and pundits alike, leading to some expressing a desire to sell him this summer.

Read More: Manchester United player wants to change current transfer plans following Premier League interest

But Phil Bardsley, who spent five years at United, thinks that this treatment isn’t justified given Rashford’s talents and various off-the-pitch situations that have impacted the Englishman this season.

Speaking on MUTV’s series ‘The Debate’, the former full-back was asked if he believed Rashford has been unfairly targeted this season.

Bardsley said: “I think so, yeah. First and foremost, because he’s an outstanding player, because of the standards he has set in the last three or four years, five years, have been exceptional.

“One of the things that’s played against him this year is that he’s signed a new contract, and he becomes a target.

“He’s on whatever he’s on, good luck to him. [people say] ‘he’s took his foot off the gas’, I don’t believe that’s the case, that he’s taken his foot off the gas purposely.

“I truly believe that from a player’s point of view, you have phases in your career where you have tough moments, it’s difficult.”

“You have things off the pitch that people don’t understand, family issues, friends, and I know I’m not speaking for Marcus here, he lost someone close to him which has affected him in some way.

“I do believe he’s an easy target for the media, for United fans etc. It’ll be interesting to see what he does in the summer.”

Bardsley also acknowledged that it is likely that Rashford, who has only scored eight goals this season, could miss out on selection for England in the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament.

He added: “Has he done enough to make that squad? Hopefully, he picks his form up over the next five games towards the end of the season and he can get on the plane to Germany.

“He can have a nice break, refresh himself, come back in the right frame of mind to show everyone he can be the main man; he wants to stay here a long time and win trophies because that’s the sort of player he is.

“He deserves to be here. He’s come from the academy, and he’s one of the best graduates to come from the academy, to be perfectly honest. We want to see him stay here and winning trophies.”

Rashford, who is currently out with an injury sustained in the FA Cup semi-final, recently took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his feelings towards how he has been treated this season.

Replying to a user who echoed Bardsley’s views of Rashford’s current situation, the English winger said: ” I appreciate your support! It is abuse, and it has been for months. Enough is enough.”