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Marcus Rashford says he can take “any headline” however requested his critics to indicate a “bit extra humanity” earlier than they query his dedication to Manchester United and love of soccer.
The England ahead has struggled this season, scoring simply 5 occasions for his under-performing membership aspect — in stark distinction to final season, when he scored a career-best 30 targets for United.
Rashford has additionally confronted criticism over his off-field conduct.
Stories in late January instructed Rashford had spent a night at a Belfast nightclub earlier than lacking coaching with United.
And United supervisor Erik ten Hag branded Rashford’s choice to go to a separate nightclub occasion after October’s 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester Metropolis “unacceptable”.
However Rashford, writing in The Gamers’ Tribune on Thursday, stated he wished to place his aspect of the story.
“So 99 p.c of the time, I can ignore the noise,” he stated. “However typically, sure strains get crossed, and I am unable to assist however need folks to only perceive who I’m as an individual”.
He added he understands the media “recreation”.
“They’re probably not writing about me,” he stated. “It is like they’re writing about this character, ‘Marcus Rashford’. It could’t simply be about me as a 26-year-old lad on an evening out, or a lad getting a parking ticket.
“It is bought to be about how a lot my automobile prices, guessing my weekly wage, my jewelry and even my tattoos. It is bought to be about my physique language, and questioning my morals, and speculating about my household, and my soccer future. There is a tone to it that you aren’t getting with all footballers. Let’s simply go away it at that.”
Rashford stated he felt a number of the criticism goes again to the coronavirus pandemic when he launched a high-profile marketing campaign to deal with baby meals poverty.
“For some purpose, that appeared to rub sure folks the incorrect approach,” he stated. “It looks like they have been ready for me to have a human second to allow them to level the finger and say, ‘See? See who he actually is?’
“Hear, I am not an ideal individual. Once I make a mistake, I will be the primary one to place my hand up and say that I must do higher.
“However when you ever query my dedication to Man United, that is when I’ve to talk up. It is like any person questioning my whole identification, and every part I stand for as a person.”
‘Life-changing cash’
Rashford stated his household had turned down “life-changing cash” when he was a toddler so he may put on the United badge.
“I can take any criticism,” he stated. “I can take any headline. From podcasts, social media and the papers. I can take it.
“However when you begin questioning my dedication to this membership and my love for soccer and bringing my household into it, then I would merely ask you to have a bit extra humanity.”
The ahead, who made his debut for United in 2016, stated he had tried to remain a traditional individual within the soccer “bubble” however admitted he was not good.
“I am a human being,” he stated. “I’ve made errors that plenty of lads of their 20s make, and I’ve tried to study from them. However I’ve additionally made sacrifices that no one sees.
“The factor that I need you to know is that cash isn’t what retains you taking part in by way of the exhausting occasions. It is the love of the sport, plain and easy.”
The striker urged United followers to stay optimistic regardless of a rocky season for a aspect who’re effectively off the tempo within the Premier League.
“I promise you, the world has not seen the most effective of this United squad and these gamers,” he stated. “We wish to be again taking part in within the Champions League, then we have now an enormous worldwide match on the finish of the season (Euro 2024).
“We will probably be again the place we belong. We simply must hold working, and that begins with me.
“In the event you again me, good. In the event you doubt me, even higher.”
