I was in Marcus Rashford's shoes after manager spat but did key thing differently

12/18/2024 05:42 PM

Marcus Rashford may end up regretting his decision to speak out about his Manchester United future, according to Danny Murphy.

The England forward made headlines on Tuesday night when he took the unusual decision to announce that he's ready to leave the club in a surprise interview.

The comments came after Rashford had been left out of United's squad for their 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Since he made them, manager Ruben Amorim has doubled down on his decision by leaving the 27-year-old out again against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.

In said interview, Rashford revealed that he's 'ready for a new challenge and the next steps' adding: "If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person."

The unorthodox decision to take his United future into his hands so publicly has certainly divided opinion, but one man who's been there and done it isn't sure it's so wise.

Former Liverpool regular Murphy went through a similar experience when he stepped up from Charlton to Tottenham, leaving his manager unhappy.

"When I was at Charlton me and Curbs [Alan Curbishley] had a little fallout, I was training with the kids and stuff," he recalled. 

"Then I got my move to Tottenham, that was all done behind closed doors, but I did speak to my agent and we did have words with the chairman and Curbs and Tottenham, all of that.

"I said my piece and I said it well, but I didn’t say it to any press."

Discussing Rashford's decision to take a different path, Murphy admitted he was perplexed.

"I’ve backed Marcus a lot and I do. I’ve always liked him. He’s a super talent and tried to understand it the best I can," he began. "But I’m really struggling with this one.

"What are you doing? Who are you helping because you are not helping yourself.

"If he puts the United shirt on again and has half a bad game, they’re gonna say he’s ready to jump. He doesn’t want to be there and you can see it in his play.

"He’s just giving himself a bigger amount of pressure. Surely you want to play again because you want to keep putting yourself in the window and keep yourself fit. So that's a problem.

"He’s put huge pressure on himself if he plays again. He’s put the club in a difficult position in that he’s saying he wants to leave. 

"Someone might want him, they’re gonna try and get him on the cheap because they know he’s desperate to go."

talkSPORT understands that United are open to offers for the two-time FA Cup winner who has scored 138 goals in 426 matches for the club.

One of those said to be interested in a January move is Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.

Rashford has been on Man United’s books for 20 years having been scouted by them at seven years old.

He made his senior debut in February 2016 as an 18-year-old, scoring twice in a Europa League tie against Danish club FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old has a Europa League winners’ medal and has won the FA Cup and League Cup on two occasions at Man United.