Marcus Rashford was given an ultimatum by a disgruntled Manchester United supporter ahead of their 3-2 win at home to Newcastle.
Rashford, 26, was targeted during the warm-up before making his 41st appearance of what’s been an underwhelming season for the England international, scoring just eight goals. As Rashford and his fellow substitutes went through a drill in the bottom right-hand corner of the Old Trafford pitch facing the Stretford End, a fan is understood to have made his way down several rows of seats before telling the forward: “If you wanna go, go!”
The supporter’s comment was reference to increasing speculation surrounding Rashford’s future, although he did sign a new five-year contract last July which keeps him at his boyhood club until 2026. Mirror Football reported in March that French giants Paris Saint-Germain were weighing up a £75million bid for Rashford as they prepare to lose Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.
In footage which has gone viral on social media since Wednesday night’s match, Rashford can be seen breaking off from his warm-up and coming towards the man, who was pointing to the United badge on his jacket. Visibly unhappy after hearing what the supporter was shouting, Rashford replied while pointing to the badge on his shirt: “Why don’t you go?”
Another spectator then pleaded with the 26-year-old by shouting: “Rashford, don’t listen to him!” The player was then pulled away by United team-mate Christian Eriksen, as word of the incident got round the squad.
Once they’d moved away for the next part of their warm-up, stewards approached the man in question before another fan – believed to be his son – led him back to his seat. The fan who targeted Rashford was also scolded by nearby supporters.
Wednesday wasn’t the first time that Rashford has directly responded to criticism from United fans. In March 2021 following a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16, the United academy graduate attempted to confront a group of fans outside of Old Trafford and made a gesture with his hand.
