MARCUS Rashford faces an uphill battle to win over the Manchester United dressing room as his teammates have grown tired of his selfish behaviour.
The academy graduate was previously regarded as one of the team’s leaders and was surrounded by pals including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Jadon Sancho, and Brandon Williams.
GettyMarcus Rashford’s Man United teammates have grown tired of his ‘selfish behaviour’[/caption]
GettyRashford provoked an angry outburst from midfielder Bruno Fernandes[/caption]
Manager Erik ten Hag held Rashford in such high regard that some within the dressing room believe the Dutchman was happy to let players who he feared were a bad influence on Rashford to leave.
But despite being at the club since he was a boy, the 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loan.
A source said: “When the manager first arrived he made a beeline for Marcus and made clear to him just how much he rated him.
“He helped him get his form back and he put in a string of really good performances.”
Last season Rashford bagged an incredible 30 goals in 56 appearances, but has just four to his name this season.
And he has cut a miserable figure on far too many occasions, both in training and in games, driving some of his colleagues to despair.
The source said: “Marcus no longer has the same lads around him and doesn’t get involved in the banter as much. He can be very moody in training and in games and just doesn’t seem happy. He doesn’t really hang around with any of the players anymore and seems distant.”
The Sun was told Rashford provoked an angry outburst from midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the run up to a Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on December 30, in which Rashford scored but United still lost 2-1.
The source said Rashford had cut a miserable figure in training but perked up as he excitedly told teammates of a plan to fly to New York to see in New Year’s Eve.
They said: “Bruno had a go at him. He said something along the lines of ‘you’ve been miserable for days and the only time you brighten up is when you talk about going on holiday’.
Fernandes accused Rashford of acting like a young player rather than a seasoned pro and urged him to improve his attitude.
APManager Erik ten Hag previously held Marcus Rashford in high regard[/caption]
GettyThe 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loan[/caption]
Rashford’s planned trip did not go ahead in the end, the source added.
He now faces a battle to win over his teammates again after two nights out clubbing in Belfast last week saw him ring in sick for training on Friday.
He was dropped for the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting on Monday with manager ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough.
The club said the matter was now closed and that he would be considered for selection for the club’s next game against Wolves on Thursday.
Ten Hag is due to give a press conference tomorrow at noon.
United were contacted for comment.