Erik ten Hag calls on Manchester United fans to support Marcus Rashford

Erik ten Hag has a "lot of sympathy" for struggling Marcus Rashford and says everyone needs to get behind the misfiring Manchester United forward.

The 26-year-old produced a career-high 30 goals last season and was rewarded with a big-money new deal until 2028 over the summer, but his form has dropped off markedly since then.

Rashford has managed just eight goals in 40 appearances for his boyhood club, with his output criticised by onlookers and some fans booing him in last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Coventry.

The England international told the Players' Tribune in February that "if you back me, good" and "if you doubt me, even better", but he feels criticism has overstepped the mark.

Responding to a post on X that called the treatment of Rashford "absolutely disgusting", "cruel" and "abuse", he said: "I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough."

That post at 12.36am on Friday was put to his manager in the press conference around 13 hours later.


More from Sky Sports on YouTube:

[MNA]

Rashford next season in Saudi Pro League: “Yo Neymar, sunny innit?”

[paulorganisation]

He is not playing well, bench him. That is all. Players like sterling are warming the bench, if you are not doing the job, seat on the bench.

[DarthNero]

In any top clubs in Europe, underperforming players are replaced while in Man UTD who claim to be a top club (in history) is asking to suppor players who’ve been underperforming for years. Rashford is not a newly signed player who has yet to prove himself. Hes been at the club for now a decade but still expected to be coddled just because he has fragile feelings when comes to criticism towards his footballing performances.

[babajideemmanuel]

I never support bullying of any kind. But he should take a page from maguires book and stop sulking.

[DBev]

But he's not good enough!? He's been worthy like 1-2 seasons out of how many now, 8!? I've never understood why he's been lauded, played so much, paid so much & not replaced.

[hs]

He let last season get to he's head! the dude thought he was was a god for a minute but what he forgot was that he needed to keep on working harder even. He needs to grow up

[Waz-G]

How much more support does he need? This has been going on for years...sheesh.

What makes him more special than any other player as all players have dips in form but other players will still try and also have better body language. How can fans support a guy that shows no interest for the team, the badge or the fans? Look at he's body language, it's literally in 4k.

[Adrian]

Ohhh, poor Marcus with his below average performances worth 350k/week. Support this poor soul. If he was playing back in Keane's era he'd be in the reserve squad every week getting his butt kicked. Guys like him and Antony are celebrities nowadays not footballers, smh...

[manasagrawal]

There’s no room for bullying but Rashford’s performances speak for themselves. He needs to leave.

[kJ-hj]

It’s so bizarre because you have one side of internet weirdo people obsessively criticising him, even though genuine criticism of his play is valid and is equivalent to what Maguire, Bruno etc have received. But then you have the people who then begin to obsessively defend him, which includes exaggerating some of his criticism too, which only elevates all of it into a ridiculous discourse 😂🤦‍♂️

[CEO]

Sell him asap! He does not have United dna! ❤

[mustntgrumble]

As you’ll see in these comments @manutd. We’ve had enough of this player and the circus that follows him. We need winners not brand obsessed “players”.

[Fmfcg]

A manager that stands up for his players is a good manager

[oscarguerrero]

Why should we give him time he overstayed here at man utd he needs to go and move on

[themisanthropichumanist]

Can't handle the criticism so he calls it abuse and plays the victim.

[Shush....]

I will support trashford if he leaves my club

[Lyeveraxau]

We been supporting this guy for a whille now, lately people are tired, fans need goals but he's lazy to chase the ball. He must put his career first that got him the life he's living. I'll support him living the club.

[thatswhatshesaid]

We support Manchester United. We want what's best for the team. We will support Rashford, but when he's on the bench or out of the squad if that's needed. This is not a Rashford project where he gets to play until he picks his form meanwhile other players who deserve a chance are on the bench and his performance is beyond terrible on the pitch.

[tarigodson]

Not that we don't support him is just that we want manchester united to win and rashford can't help us do that because he is not good enough!

[TheSt]

Fans would suppport him more if he. put in more effort on the pitch.