Rio Ferdinand suggests “over-scrutiny” is to blame for Marcus Rashford’s desire to leave Man United | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand has claimed that the excessive scrutiny on Marcus Rashford could be behind his desire to leave Manchester United this month.

Rashford hasn’t played for United since December, when he made it public that he is ready for a new challenge away from Old Trafford.

He has fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim and United are believed to be open to listening to offers for him. A loan transfer appears the most likely outcome after Rashford rejected multiple lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs.

The England international has been linked to several European outfits including Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur but his mega wages have proven to be a hindrance in getting any deal over the line.

Ferdinand spoke to the Daily Mail in Dubai and had his say on the ongoing situation with Rashford.

The six-time Premier League winner told the newspaper, “Manchester United, also people around Marcus, need to make sure that he leaves in the best tact mentally as well as physically. Mentally more importantly because I think he’s been over-scrutinised for a few years now.”

“But that also comes in the territory of being a Manchester United player. And when you’re held up as one of the faces of the club then that is part and parcel unfortunately of being at Man United.”

“I think it’s always easy for everyone else to assume and think what he should do but I think only Marcus and his team know what are the benefits of staying in Manchester or at United.”

“What’s going to be beneficial for him leaving? But then the question is where do you go? So there are a lot of questions that need answering but only he is going to be able to do that.”

Ferdinand added, “The only thing I would be advising him on — if I was his advisor — is he is never going to be 100 per cent certain that the decision he makes at this crossroads is right. He is going to do something — whether he goes or stays — and when he makes that decision he will still not be 100 per cent sure.”

United’s struggles on the pitch remain ongoing as Amorim tries to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

Ferdinand remarked about this, “Man United need to suffer short term rather than look at short-term successes. They have big problems and need to weed them out and then they become teething problems and hopefully go.”

“That isn’t going to happen overnight and it’s not going to happen in a couple of months. Amorim has said he is willing to have a little bit of hurt and pain short term for a gain and positives in a year’s time.”

“I don’t mind 3-4-3 as long as you don’t play five at the back. I think if you get penned back to become five for large periods in games then more often than not you’re going to lose and you give the opposition more opportunity to win. We have seen teams that can play it. I think Antonio Conte is the only manager who has won the Premier League playing that formation. Italy have played it and been successful, Inter have played it and been successful and there are others.”

“It’s all about personnel as well. Have you got the right personnel to play it? Is the group coachable to play that formation? There are a lot of questions and answers that are needed. But I’m sure this manager is working all that out on the job.”

“It’s so difficult mid-season because he hasn’t had pre-season, he hasn’t been on the grass for long periods to coach. He looks like a real coach who wants to have time on the pitch. He’s not been afforded that but that’s why any judgement now and any knee-jerk reactions are way off because he needs the time with the team to implement his ideas.”

United currently lie in 13th position in the table ahead of their meeting with Fulham at Craven Cottage later tonight. Fulham vs. United kicks off at 19:00 GMT.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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