Roy Keane has told Marcus Rashford he was ‘part of the problem’ at Manchester United after the England international appeared to blame the club’s ‘inconsistent environment’ for his struggles at Old Trafford.
Rashford, 27, who was part of Ruben Amorim’s five-man ‘bomb squad’ in the summer after falling out of favour with the manager, escaped to Barcelona on loan and has since enjoyed a resurgence in form.
The season-long loan move, which can be made permanent next summer, has worked out superbly so far for Rashford, who has scored three times and provided five assists in 10 appearances at the Catalan giants.
Thanks to the Man United exile’s excellent form, Thomas Tuchel named Rashford in his England squad to face Wales and Latvia — and claimed the forward only needs ‘consistency’ to become a world-class player.
Rashford, who will be eager to retain his place with the Three Lions at next summer’s World Cup, suggested that it was difficult to find consistency before moving to Barcelona because Old Trafford’s ‘inconsistent environment’.
Ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Latvia on Tuesday, United legend Keane sent a clear message to Rashford — stating he was ‘part of the problem’.
The no-nonsense ITV pundit then offered advice to Rashford on how to become an elite player, admitting he is ‘obviously fantastic’ in terms of his ability.
‘Towards the end of his time at United, there was obviously issues. He was part of the problem with the environment, especially one of the most experienced players at United,’ he said.
‘He should have been setting the standards and showing new people at he club what it’s like to be a United player. But that’s been well documented. What we have to look at is he’s got this chance now with England and he deserved it.
‘No doubt about his talent, he’s obviously fantastic. But the bit that would have frustrated fans is his body language, not running back or not pressing properly. That’s the things he needs to tidy up and if he does there’s no reason he can’t become a world class player.’
Having made his senior debut under Louis van Gaal at Man United back in 2016, Rashford played for a further four permanent and three interim bosses with the Red Devils.
Speaking on his time at United his week, Rashford said: ‘For sure, consistency is a massive part of it. I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent.
‘But I completely agree, I think consistency is what I need to bring into my game and I am looking to do that. I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible.
‘When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything not just sport, you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train.
‘We have just had so many changes so far in my career but I have to look forward and that it definitely one of the things I want to put right and improve on to be at my best more often. When I am at my best I really enjoy everything about the sport.’
The England forward’s most prolific season in a United shirt came under Erik ten Hag during the 2022-23 campaign, where he scored 30 goals in all competitions and added a further nine assists.
But Rashford, who signed a £300,000-per-week contract following the season, endured marked dip in form during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring eight and assisting five in all competitions.
Rashford’s decline came amid warnings from Ten Hag about his lifestyle, from being dropped for missing training after his infamous tequila bender in Belfast to oversleeping and failing to show up to a team meeting on time.
Amorim claimed earlier this year that Rashford needed to ‘change’ and stressed Man United’s squad needed to ‘set standards’ after freezing the forward out of his side.
Despite his struggles with timekeeping and issues off the pitch, Keane urged that Rashford deserved a second chance and encouraged the forward to keep working hard in his pursuit of greatness.
He deserves that,’ Keane said, of Rashford’s move to Barcelona and place in the England squad. ‘That’s what sport is about.
‘He’s got the opportunity over the next few months to go and make something happen, affect the game – but it’s always a reminder to all of us, trying to get to the highest level, that talent alone is not enough, you’ve got to have the rest of it.
‘If you’re part of the environment and you’re causing problems at the club by being late and not being a top pro then you’re part of the problem, you’re not helping the environment. He’s got to mature a little bit. He’s 27 so there’s plenty of time for him and I don’t begrudge him another chance.
‘Put yourself in the shoes of a full back, if you see Marcus coming at you – with or without the ball – then you would be absolutely worried. But, of course, the other part of the game is what he does out of possession and that’s what the manager will be looking at.
‘We know your talent is there, you’ve got the stats to back it up we know you’re a handful and put people on the back foot – but it’s what you are out of possession and become a team player, good body language. If you’re pressing, press properly. At United he closed people down sometimes but it was half hearted.’
