Marcus Rashford’s brother has taken to social media to clap back at Gary Neville after the Manchester United icon admitted he was worried about him during Thursday’s episode of Stick to Football. The Red Devils forward was the topic of conversation again as Neville welcomed Rio Ferdinand onto the popular podcast.
Rashford has endured a difficult season at Old Trafford, scoring just eight goals in all competitions. But despite his glaring struggle for goals, his body language and attitude have been primary points of criticism.
The spotlight on the 26-year-old’s woes intensified after he achieved a career-best 30-goal 2022/23 campaign to help Erik ten Hag enjoy a successful start as United manager.
On Thursday, Neville insisted he believes that something isn’t right with Rashford, despite the player dismissing such concerns in a public interview in March.
“He’s not right, and it’s not just a case of him not playing well. He doesn’t look happy. I’m looking at him and thinking, I am worried about him,” Neville told Stick to Football on Thursday.
“We know there’s been a couple of instances this season when he’s come under pressure and his form has been bad, but I look at him and think that’s not right.
“It’s not a lad that’s grown up with the freedom and spirit of playing for Manchester United as a kid.”
Just hours before Rashford is due to take to the pitch in a must-win Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, his brother reacted to Neville’s comments on Instagram.
He wrote: “I completely understand podcasts and how they work, but if you have genuine concerns, pick up the phone.
“We know each other or have crossed paths… Airing so-called concerns for the public to have an opinion is bad mind and clickbait in my eyes.
“The fun fact is that most of these shows or ex-pros have asked for exclusives.”
It has brought unwelcome attention to Rashford again shortly before a match, in which defeat would all but end United’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
Ferdinand was the latest high-profile guest on the Stick to Football panel this week, joining Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane.
Neville’s former defensive teammate suggested that Rashford may need to consider the characters he surrounds himself with, as he did when he joined Leeds United from West Ham United instead of Chelsea.
Ferdinand said: “He’ll need to either decide to get rid of them and stay in Manchester or leave Manchester and get rid of those people.
“It might be an accumulation of different things, but that could be a big part because the people around you do have a big influence on how you are – especially accountability.”
