Former Manchester United Staff Member Points Finger at Rashford for Old Trafford Downfall
Marcus Rashford has been squarely blamed for the unravelling of his Manchester United career by a former member of the club's backroom staff, who has revealed damning insights into the forward's behaviour behind the scenes. The England international, currently on loan at Barcelona, has not featured for United since December 2024 following a fallout with former manager Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona Loan and Uncertain Future
Rashford is presently plying his trade at Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona hold a £26 million option to buy him permanently during the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite impressing with 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances for the Catalan giants, his long-term future remains in doubt. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick recently stated that discussions about Rashford's permanent status are ongoing, with sporting director Deco leading the negotiations.
The forward's exit from Manchester United was precipitated by a series of contentious events under Amorim's tenure. Rashford lost his coveted number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha and was relegated to training separately from the first-team squad last summer before his loan move to Aston Villa in the latter half of the previous season. Amorim's pointed remarks, suggesting he would prefer to name his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach as a substitute over a player not giving full effort, were widely interpreted as a critique of Rashford's commitment.
Damning Testimony from Old Trafford Insider
Rod Thornley, who served as Manchester United's first-team masseur from 2000 to 2019, has publicly attributed Rashford's decline at the club to the player's own attitude and shifting demeanour. In a candid interview on The Busby Way Podcast, Thornley did not mince words, asserting he was unbothered by any potential backlash from Rashford.
"He became unhappy. He became a different person," Thornley recounted. "I watched this player that used to be a happy, lovely kid just moping around, especially in the club. Outside the club I used to see him every now and then and he was fine, but in the club he had this demeanour about him that just wasn't great."
Thornley emphasised that this negative body language eventually translated to on-pitch performances, where Rashford's energy levels were conspicuously lacking. He contrasted this with the current regime under Michael Carrick, whom he praised for extracting higher energy from the squad.
"For me he's half tossed off his Manchester United career rather than it has been taken away from him," Thornley concluded, bluntly summarising his view that Rashford bears significant responsibility for his Old Trafford exit.
Broader Context and Ongoing Speculation
While Rashford has expressed a desire to secure a permanent move to Barcelona, the club's hierarchy, including Flick and Deco, have indicated that a final decision will be made in due course. The situation underscores a dramatic fall from grace for a player once heralded as a homegrown symbol of United's future.
This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding Rashford's career trajectory, highlighting the intense scrutiny and internal dynamics that can influence a high-profile footballer's journey at a top club.
