Marcus Rashford’s team-mate speaks out as three Man United icons slammed
Manchester United are not in action this weekend due to their FA Cup exit
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is thriving at Barcelona (Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Michael Carrick will be searching for how Manchester United can improve after his first defeat as manager. The club’s earlier FA Cup elimination means the squad are not in action until next weekend.
While other teams plan their path to a Wembley final, the United boss will want to guarantee his players are thoroughly prepared for their vital game against Aston Villa. The two sides are equal on points, with United positioned above Unai Emery’s outfit on goal difference.
An impressive sequence of six victories in seven matches propelled the team firmly into Champions League contention before suffering defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday. It marked the first setback of Carrick’s reign and the reaction to the result has split opinion.
Beyond Old Trafford, a Barcelona star has indicated where United faltered in their management of Marcus Rashford. Here, MEN Sport examines some of the latest developments surrounding the club.
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Man United receive Marcus Rashford dig
Robert Lewandowski has revealed why he believes his Barcelona team-mate Marcus Rashford has recaptured his best form. The 28-year-old, who last featured for United in December 2024, has flourished since moving to Spain.
The forward has been a standout performer at his parent club and Barcelona have the option to make Rashford’s move permanent for £26million. Lewandowski has suggested that United’s management style may have negatively impacted Rashford’s performances.
“Marcus is the guy, if you give him confidence and he sees that you believe in him, he can give you back 200 per cent,” the striker told Sky Sports. “He’s a very nice guy. We spoke because we are sitting in the dressing room beside [each other]. We also play ping-pong.
“I see that this guy is very kind, very nice guy but also because of this he needs someone standing behind him. If he does have this confidence he can really play his best football and on the best level.
“He has huge potential. He has everything. He has speed, he has technique, he has a shot, he has left foot, right foot, skills.”
Man United icons criticised
Patrice Evra has expressed his bewilderment at the reaction of some United legends following the team’s defeat to Newcastle. His former colleague Carrick has managed to turn around the club’s season but that hasn’t shielded the new manager from criticism.
Following the Newcastle game, United great Paul Scholes took a swipe at the head coach. In a now-deleted Instagram story, he wrote: “United have been crap last four games… night.” Evra has questioned why Scholes and other United stalwarts haven’t fully backed Carrick.
“I hope Paul Scholes’ Instagram story is fake,” Evra told gambling site Stake. “I hope he was hacked. To be honest, I’m not surprised at that from Scholesy. He was the quietest player I’ve ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells.
“I really don’t understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick, he’s one of us and he’s doing very well. There’s been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
“It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can’t be positive, you have to be negative.”
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