MARCUS RASHFORD should at least consider the advice of Harry Maguire, his teammate and former Manchester United captain.
Maguire has had his problems at Old Trafford, just like Rashford, and has also attracted a lot of criticism, just like Rashford.
But the centre-back has stubbornly refused to leave, claiming that once you leave United the only way is down.
This is something Rashford will need to keep in mind as he heads for the exit doors during the January transfer window.
Rashford's brother and representative Dwaine Maynard has held talks with Milan and is likely to speak to more clubs in the coming days.
And it is not surprising that a host of clubs, both in England and Europe, have approached United about recruiting a huge talent like the 27-year-old.
The latest rumors suggest that West Ham have entered the race.
His £350,000-a-week wages are, unsurprisingly, a huge stumbling block. Negotiations will be complicated as clubs want United to still commit to a share of wages, while compensation will also have to be paid if the loan deal is for a permanent transfer.
Rashford is in a different situation to Maguire or the other stars at United as he has been at the club all his life. We should not underestimate how difficult this can be.
As Trent Alexander-Arnold will testify at Liverpool, local boys who move up through a club are judged and treated more harshly by the supporters, which seems downright unfair.
These have been particularly difficult years for Rashford and the situation has not improved since Ruben Amorim arrived at the end of November.
As Rashford revealed in his interview with journalist Henry Winter last month: “It's time for a new challenge.”
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Interestingly, Rashford gave the interview when he returned to his former school to hand out 420 Christmas presents.
Rashford has done an extraordinary amount of good things outside of football and here was the latest proof. The way he lobbied the UK government to provide free school meals for young people during the Covid pandemic was an extraordinary effort.
So those who guided him in the past should get credit. Also, the decision to speak so candidly about his situation at United before Christmas following the arrival of a new coach – even though all the journalists would have liked to have gotten that interview – was a move that was always going to irritate Amorim.
The problem with Rashford, however, is that he has been a source of frustration for every United manager he has played under. It seems he is now less concerned about angering the club's management, or perhaps doesn't care at all.
Seedless tomatoes
In October 2023, the attacker was spotted partying, just hours after his club were crushed by Manchester City.
And 12 months ago, Rashford went drinking tequila for 12 hours in Belfast. One of the other memorable facts from this trip was the claim that he ordered bruschetta at a restaurant but didn't touch it because he doesn't like tomatoes with seeds.
And according to a Belfast waitress he befriended that night, Rashford also speculated about whether he could play his own music in a nightclub. Although trivial, it illustrated that there may have been someone at risk of becoming detached from reality as this was not normal behavior. He then called in sick the next day and missed United's FA Cup win at Newport.
Understandably, Erik ten Hag was furious and fined the player two weeks' wages. In his recent interview, Rashford claimed he was 'misunderstood' and seems like a genuinely shy person, rather than an outgoing person.
He still has only himself to blame for the decline in his form on the pitch, but he's also young enough – and certainly good enough – to get back on track.
By looking for another club, Rashford wants to give his career in England a new boost. His debut came against Australia in a friendly before the 2016 European Championship and he made 60 appearances, scoring 17 goals.
A total of 57 of those appearances came under Gareth Southgate's management, but the England manager became irritated with Rashford as he was often unavailable for many internationals due to injury, before going on to feature for United in the next Premier League match.
New England manager Thomas Tuchel insists everyone has a clean slate, including Rashford.
So he has a great opportunity to be part of a squad for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
That's why it's important that Rashford, outstanding for United in the 2022/2023 season, chooses his next club wisely. Whether you can trust the people around him to give the right advice remains to be seen.
There is a school of thought that in the short term he would be better off keeping his head down at United under Amorim.
Whatever he decides to do, it is crucial that he remains professional, both on and off the pitch.
Ultimately he has to start enjoying his football again and only then will we see the old Marcus Rashford.
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