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Football

28th Apr 2022

Roy Keane takes aim at Marcus Rashford for ‘smiling’ before game even starts

Daniel Brown

‘I don’t like players smiling too much’

Roy Keane has once again criticised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, questioning why the Englishman is ‘always smiling’.

The former United captain has been critical of Rashford in recent weeks and insisted that he was frustrated with the 24-year-old’s recent form.

Rashford has scored just five goals and registered two assists in 31 appearances this season, often having to settle for a place on the substitutes bench.

Keane Rashford smiling

‘You smile when you score or affect the game’ – Keane

Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: “He’s [Rashford] got to do a lot more, I’m really frustrated with him.”

When asked if the England international was playing for his future, Keane added: “I think they all are, I think you’re always kind of playing for your future. Every time I see Marcus getting warmed-up, he’s always smiling, I don’t like players who smile too much.

“You smile when you score, what we always said when he first burst onto the scene and spoke about him, he affects games. He doesn’t affect games anymore, he does very little, his performance last week, I mentioned he played like a child, like an immature kid in terms of his hold-up play.

“He’s playing in the wider position tonight, that’s probably easier for him. We just need to see some more.”

The former United midfielder was then asked if it means you’re relaxed if you smile, to which he replied: “Not all the time, every time I see him in the warm-up he’s smiling or laughing, I go back to it, you’re going to war, you’re fighting for your future.

“You start smiling when you score a goal or when you do something to affect the game or get people of their seats, not laughing all the time in the warm-up.”

Keane Rashford smiling

Keane slams Rashford for ‘playing like a child’

Keane criticised three United players after the Red Devils’ dismal defeat to rivals Liverpool, claiming Rashford ‘played like a child.’

“Rashford played like a child up front. Okay it wasn’t great service, but the one or two bits he got where he was in on goal and a poor touch,” the Irishman said.

He also insisted that it’s a long way back for his old side to be challenging for titles once again, blasting the players for having a lack of ‘pride’.

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