Ian Wright has jumped to the defence of Marcus Rashford in the aftermath of Manchester United fans verbally attacking the striker.
The 24-year-old is currently enduring one of the worst spells of his career; he’s struggled with injuries, and his form since his return has rubbed fans the wrong way. They’ve begun to get frustrated with the forward, and his cameo appearance against Atletico Madrid has only worsened matters.
On several occasions, Rashford gave the ball away and committed unnecessary fouls. It’s evident that the player oozes talent, but he’s struggling to regain the confidence that saw him rise to stardom. However, the fans are seemingly unwilling to offer the player their support. Instead, they’re launching criticism at him regularly.
Ultimately, this has become too much for the youngster to deal with. En route to the team bus after the game, a group of supporters started hurling abuse at the player. And Rashford couldn’t contain his frustration.
Read: Rio Ferdinand sends a clear message to Marcus Rashford after reports about his future.
Marcus Rashford snaps at fans
One fan said: “Come on, Rashford.”
While another shouted: “After that performance, come on, guys.”
This enraged the England international, who approached the hecklers before being held back by security. As he retreated to the coach, he appeared to stick a finger up at the supporters, who reacted furiously.
An enraged fan fumed: “F***ing be** end. He was f***ing sh**e.”
Marcus Rashford apologises
Following the incident, Rashford posted an apology in which he reveals he regrets the situation. However, he denies performing the alleged rude gesture.
He tweeted: “A video can paint a thousand words and, in this case, lead to inaccurate info being shared on social media. Guys, for weeks, I’ve been heckled, threatened, questioned, and last night my emotion got the better of me. I’m a human being. Reading and hearing that stuff about yourself every day, it wears you down. No one is more critical of my performance than me.”
He added: “But what you see in the video lacks context. I had been heckled from the minute I stepped foot outside the ground, abuse not just aimed at my football. People were looking for a reaction from me. Phones were at the ready. Of course, I should have just walked straight past and ignored it. That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? I want to clarify two things.
“The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me, which (was) ‘come over here and say it to my face’ (a fact security can back up) and secondly, the fact I used my forefinger to direct the fan to ‘come over here and say it to my face’. I did not gesture with my middle finger.
“I’m not entitled. This isn’t ego. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. And at that moment, it was silly, but I was being human.”
Despite the backlash that the United star’s received, an England football icon has released a video in support of the player.
Ian Wright backs Marcus Rashford
Arsenal legend Ian Wright is completely bamboozled by the situation. He doesn’t believe that Rashford should have apologised. He instead claims that the incident occurred due to the obnoxious nature of the fans.
Wright said: “Yo, what’s up? What a beautiful day. Someone just sent me the Marcus Rashford video where he confronted the fans because the fans were digging him out, and he offered one of them out.
“I don’t know who is doing it, man, who is doing this apologising – what the f*** is he apologising for that for? These people who are so quick to say, oh I’m so sorry’ – that’s what gives these fans that fuel, think they can dig these people out.”
He continued: “Marcus, stand your ground, bro. Tell them about their raasclaat self, yes? You know what I mean – you’ve got these people jumping on “Oh Marcus is so sorry” – don’t be f****** sorry for that, bro.
“Some of them fans love giving it, and they can’t take it, man. You just do your stuff and get back to where you need to be bro, on your playing. F*** them fans bro. Everybody, have a nice day.”
It’s easy to forget that the players who perform in front of our eyes and drive around in Lamborghinis are human beings just like us—but they are. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you read enough negative things about yourself, it will eventually have an effect. Rashford has emotions, and they were bound to show eventually.
Featured Image Credit: Getty