Soccer

Gary Neville adds to Rashford backlash as Man Utd star grilled for ‘mistake’

Fulham 0-1 Man Utd: Match review

Gary Neville has joined Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in branding Marcus Rashford’s post-derby antics a mistake, claiming it’s ‘not right’. Rashford faced a wave of backlash this week after being spotted at a Manchester nightclub just hours after United’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils No 10 turned 26 on Tuesday and was reportedly at a party celebrating his and his brother’s birthdays.

But many United supporters were unhappy with the news amid a disastrous start to the season for Ten Hag’s side and Rashford.

United have lost eight of their 16 games this term, including five in 10 at home, and Rashford has contributed just one goal.

He has failed to build on his career-best 30-goal 2022/23 season and cut a miserable figure on the bench during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Fulham, having travelled but failed a late fitness test.

And Neville has joined Ten Hag in questioning Rashford’s judgement to publicly celebrate after last Sunday’s crushing defeat, suggesting Sir Alex Ferguson would have been furious if his players did the same.

Click here to join our Man Utd WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Red Devils news.

READ MORE Manchester United make Boey ‘transfer enquiry’ following last-gasp Fulham win[TRANSFERS]

“So, look. I’ve said this in my book. I’ve said this openly in public. If we lost a match, any match, forget a Manchester derby! If it was a Manchester derby, we wouldn’t be seen for a week, two weeks,” Neville explained on the Gary Neville Podcast.

“But if we lost a match, nights out were cancelled. Simple as that. That was my rule. It was the other lads’ rule in the dressing room. You could not be seen out in a public place if you’d lost a football match.

“Because to be fair, you’d bump into people who paid big money to go and watch the club, to watch the team play, and they don’t want to see you really enjoying yourself and celebrating. It’s an optics thing.

“So, I’m all for lads enjoying their lives and enjoying their lives, but maybe that’s a night to just have a takeaway, maybe have a glass of wine, bring your friends round to your house.

  • Advert-free experience without interruptions.
  • Rocket-fast speedy loading pages.
  • Exclusive & Unlimited access to all our content.

DON’T MISS
Rio Ferdinand fears another Man Utd star will kick up a fuss with Erik ten Hag[QUOTES]
Liverpool already have ‘guarantee’ in £80m race as Ralf Rangnick haunts Man Utd[TRANSFERS]
Man Utd return to Jose Mourinho’s old target book as Marcus Leonardo lined up[GOSSIP]

“Just optically, it’s not great, I don’t think, if you’re basically seen out in a nightclub in Manchester after a derby loss. I don’t think it’s right. Erik ten Hag said it was a mistake; I would class it as a mistake as well.

“Marcus is from Manchester. I know it was his birthday, and you’ve got to live. But it’s a Manchester derby. You’ve just been beaten 3-0, and the reality of it is the fans don’t want to hear that you’re out on the town.”

Ten Hag confirmed that the matter had been resolved internally, and Rashford’s absence at Craven Cottage was solely due to injury.

The England international will hope to return to action in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen.

Source: Read Full Article