Marcus Rashford may be looking to revive his career at Barcelona, but his past actions continue to haunt him. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing critique of the England forward, accusing him of showing a poor attitude during his final months at Old Trafford. Despite moments of brilliance, Scholes believes Rashford lacks the mentality to fulfill his potential at the highest level.
Rashford’s Rocky Exit from Old Trafford
Rashford’s future at Manchester United became uncertain early last season when head coach Ruben Amorim hinted at a breakdown in trust, even joking that he’d prefer to start his goalkeeping coach ahead of the forward. By January, the writing was on the wall. Rashford was loaned out to Aston Villa for the remainder of the campaign, but Unai Emery’s side opted against making the move permanent.
During his stint with Villa, Rashford struggled for consistency and impact, further fueling doubts about his long-term prospects at United.
Barcelona Move Offers Fresh Start — But Old Habits Persist
In a bid to reboot his career, Rashford secured a loan move to Barcelona over the summer, with the Spanish giants retaining a £26 million option to buy. The change of scenery appeared promising. He made headlines with a standout performance in the Champions League, scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Newcastle.
However, disciplinary concerns have followed him to Spain. Rashford was left out of the starting lineup in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Getafe after arriving late to a team meeting—an incident eerily similar to one in 2022, when then-Man United boss Erik ten Hag benched him for oversleeping before a match against Wolves.
Scholes: “He Quit on Manchester United”
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Paul Scholes didn’t hold back in criticizing Rashford’s conduct.
“I really struggle to feel happy for Marcus Rashford. Mainly because of his attitude. His attitude towards Man United towards the end was disgraceful,” Scholes said.
“He quit on Man Utd. When you quit once, you’ll quit again… He was late last night [for Barcelona]. He won’t get away with that at Barca — no chance.”
Scholes also questioned Rashford’s professionalism, expressing disbelief at repeated lateness and suggesting it reflects a deeper issue with his mentality.
“He’s definitely got the talent to be one of the best. But he’ll never have the mentality.”
Rashford Responds to Ongoing Criticism
Rashford has previously addressed the scrutiny he faces, particularly after a controversial incident in January 2024 when he was spotted partying in Belfast before calling in sick for United training. Writing in The Players’ Tribune, Rashford defended himself against what he described as an unfair media narrative.
“Some of it goes back to the pandemic. I used my voice to help kids who were going hungry… For some reason, that rubbed people the wrong way,” he wrote.
“It seems like they’ve been waiting for me to have a human moment to say, ‘See? This is who he really is.’ Listen, I’m not perfect. When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first to say I need to do better.”
What’s Next for Rashford?
While Rashford’s raw talent remains undeniable, questions about his professionalism and mentality continue to shadow his career. His future at Barcelona—and whether they’ll exercise the option to buy—may ultimately depend on more than just what he produces on the pitch.
