RASHFORD’S rollercoaster career
FEBRUARY 2016: Bursts on to the scene at 18 with two goals on his first Manchester United start in a Europa League victory over Midtjylland, then two more on his Premier League debut against Arsenal three days later. Wins the club’s Young Player of the Year award and signs a new deal to stay until 2020.
MARCH 2020: During the Covid lockdown, he teams up with charities to deliver free school meals and is later credited with persuading the Government to extend free school meals to children during school holidays. Sets up a Child Food Poverty Task Force and is awarded the MBE later that year, also appearing on the cover of Vogue in recognition of his role as a political activist and campaigner.
JULY 2023:
The most productive season of his career as he scores 30 goals in all competitions and is voted Player of the Season. Signs a new contract at United running to 2028, believed to be worth £315,000-a-week.
OCTOBER 2023:
Causes controversy by going out partying for his birthday on the night of a 3-0 derby defeat by arch-rivals Manchester City. Manager Erik ten Hag later says his conduct was ‘unacceptable’. By Christmas he has scored just two Premier League goals, in stark contrast to his brilliant form of the previous season.
JANUARY 2024:
Misses United training and is left out of the squad for the FA Cup clash at Newport through ‘illness’, though it emerges he was on a night out in Belfast the previous week on a reported ‘12-hour tequila bender’. Former United skipper Gary Neville is among those critical of the striker, saying he needs to think about his ‘choices and timing’.
FEBRUARY 2024: Admits to making mistakes without directly addressing the Belfast controversy, but says any suggestion that he is not committed to United’s cause is way off the mark: ‘It’s like someone questioning my entire identity and everything I stand for as a man.’
YESTERDAY: Concerns over his social media presence grow as, in a post on X at almost 1am, he responds to a United supporter who said: ‘The way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting’ by replying: ‘I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.’