'I Can Take Any Criticism, But Have More Humanity': Marcus Rashford on Backlash After Off-Field Slip-up

Criticism and harassment, where does the line get drawn? Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had his say on the same as he took to social media to speak out against the criticism he has garnered over the past few months.

Rashford, who has been in the midst of yet another tumultuous season himself, has been making headlines for all the reasons he would not wish to do so.

The United forward recently got into hot water when he was captured partying at a nightclub in Belfast ahead of his side’s FA Cup fixture against Newport City, an action that ultimately ended up in him being benched from the fixture and undergoing internal assessment within the United ranks.

United said they had dealt with the “internal disciplinary matter” and Rashford scored on his return to Erik ten Hag’s starting side in last week’s 4-3 league win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Rashford has been a model icon for the club in many senses, rising up from the Academy ranks and making his mark on the big stage as one of Manchester United’s stalwart players in recent years.

The English striker maintained his silence on all that had transpired until recently, when he took to The Players’ Tribune, where he discussed in length his mistakes, and the culture of criticism that exists in today’s landscape.

“So 99 percent of the time, I can ignore the noise,” he said. “But sometimes, certain lines get crossed, and I can’t help but want people to just understand who I am as a person”.

The 26-year-old also expounded on the treatment of players in today’s media landscape, in which a player’s morals and material possessions are highlighted in the narratives that are posted whilst undermining the fact that professional players are also flawed human beings as everyone else.

“They’re not really writing about me,” he said. “It’s like they’re writing about this character, ‘Marcus Rashford’. It can’t just be about me as a 26-year-old lad on a night out, or a lad getting a parking ticket.

“It’s got to be about how much my car costs, guessing my weekly salary, my jewellery or even my tattoos. It’s got to be about my body language, and questioning my morals, and speculating about my family, and my football future. There’s a tone to it that you don’t get with all footballers. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Rashford also reemphasised the fact that he would be the first to call himself out and stand up for his mistakes. But for those who question his commitment to the game and his club, he requested them to simply showcase “more humanity”.

“Listen, I’m not a perfect person. When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better.”

“I can take any criticism,” he said. “I can take any headline. From podcasts, social media and the papers. I can take it.

“But if you start questioning my commitment to this club and my love for football and bringing my family into it, then I’d simply ask you to have a bit more humanity.”