Rashford needs TLC not abuse from fans

MARCUS RASHFORD denies claims that he gave some Manchester United fans the middle finger on Tuesday during an expletive-laden rant at a group who were slating his recent performances.

He insists, instead, that he told the main protagonist to come and say things to his face, and that he used his forefinger to beckon him closer.

Whichever version of events is true, there was no need at all for Rashford (right) to apologise later in the week.

And what a shame he felt that he had to – simply for standing up for himself in the face of such malicious and constant provocation.

Too many people think that paying to watch someone play football gives them the right to spew venom in their direction without consequences.

It doesn’t, even when players are on the field – and certainly not when off it.

Most of the supporters who like to dish it out do so from a safe distance, surrounded by mates, and wouldn’t be anything like as big and brave if they were standing right next to the player.

Not least because, more often than not, footballers are much bigger than they look from a distance and, let’s not forget, they are all gladiator-fit too.

This isn’t to suggest Rashford should have resorted to the same kung-fu tactics Eric Cantona infamously employed in 1995 against Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons.

But many of us would have understood if he had reacted in such a manner – because we’d have probably wanted to ourselves if we could.

It was actually good to see Rashford baring his teeth for once, and showing some of the fight and bite he must have within him to have become a United and England footballer in the first place.

No one gets to play even once for Manchester United without possessing enormous technical ability and a tireless willingness to put the hard yards in – and they certainly don’t get to stay there without those qualities.

So, if any supporter thinks for a moment that they are more disappointed with the form Rashford has been in than the player himself, they are delusional. What’s more, if they think accosting and berating someone already low on confidence will make them play better, then they’re even dafter still. It’s not as if Rashford has suddenly lost his footballing ability, after all.

He just looks drained and in need of some TLC, he looks like he needs a few positive reminders that, as a local lad, he is living the dream for many a Manchester-born boy every time he pulls on a United shirt – and that those he is doing it for are right behind him.

They already know Rashford is considering his future this summer after a difficult couple of seasons at Old Trafford.

And Ralf Rangnick (left) seemingly threw fuel on the situation when he said he can go if he wants to.

But, with Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and maybe Cristiano Ronaldo on their way in the summer – and Mason Greenwood’s future unknown – United will arguably need Rashford more than ever in the coming months.

That means if he’s fit and firing and showing some of the fight we saw from him in midweek it’s all to the good.

And then there’s no reason not to think he’ll soon be back to the form that marked him out from an early age both for his club and his country.