Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has criticised Marcus Rashford for being a bad influence on Manchester United’s young talents as the Englishman’s poor form continues.
Just a few years ago, the 27-year-old seemed destined for Old Trafford legend status, having scored double figures in league goals for three consecutive seasons and earning praise for his charity work in battling child food poverty.
However, as United’s fortunes have plummeted, so have Rashford’s. The forward has scored just eight times in 44 Premier League appearances over the last two campaigns, with the Red Devils slumping into the lower half of the table.
This season, the former England international has scored just once in the top flight, with United languishing in 13th place and hoping new boss Ruben Amorim can reverse their decline.
According to talkSPORT pundit Deeney, 36, Rashford’s attitude is an even bigger concern than his form, with his negative example influencing the team’s younger players.
He said: “For a little while now let’s be honest he hasn’t delivered to the standard that we know he can.
“When I see what happened with Garnacho at the weekend, he scores and he’s a bit sulky because a few fans have decided to get on his case or whatever.
“‘”I think that stems from Marcus as well and hear me out on this when Marcus is throwing his arms about and the world owes him a favour.
“What if you’re a young player you’re looking up to him. Why would you not go ‘well I’m gonna act the same way’.”
Deeney, who scored 47 goals in 165 Premier League games, referred to Garnacho’s lack of celebration after scoring a spectacular late goal to secure United’s 3-0 win over Leicester.
Rashford, who has seen six United managers come and go, now has yet another to impress as Amorim arrived in Manchester this week to take over from Erik ten Hag.
