'Not just against Southampton' - Man Utd star Rashford put in his place

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Sept 2024 17:01 BST
3 min read

Alan Shearer has responded to Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United star lashed out at his critics.

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The Red Devils attacker has come under fire over the past 12 months for massively underperforming. The 26-year-old was rewarded with a bumper new contract after a 30-goal 2022/23 campaign but struggled to hit the same heights last term.

Rashford made headlines for the wrong reasons on and off the pitch and was criticised heavily for it as a result. Last week, the striker seemingly hit back.

A source close to the attacker purportedly told The i that the player feels the criticism he receives from pundits and even club legends is over the top and amounts to 'bullying.'

At the weekend, Rashford answered his critics on the pitch when he capped off an encouraging performance against Southampton with a nicely taken goal.

Shearer hits back

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has been one of Man Utd's harshest critics in recent times and he has now responded to the comments attributed to Rashford on The Rest is Football. "I wouldn't change anything that I've said," Shearer began.

"He's set his own very high standards, you know? He's a very good player. He's on a huge contract at Manchester United and he hasn't played as well as he can do or has done in the past. And when that is the case - at a big football club when you're a big name - you're going to get criticised.

"And he did. But he doesn't get criticised for performances like [against Southampton], you know? When he's tracking back and running, and taking players on and scoring his goal. He looked a really good player. He's now got to do that for the rest of the season.

"There's a reason why he wasn't in the England squad. It's not just the pundits who were critical of him. Other players have overtaken him from where he was a couple of years ago and there's no doubt that there's the talent in there, but that has to be a regular.

That has to be every single week, and not just against Southampton as it was. And then he won't get criticised. Pretty simple, isn't it?"