Marcus Rashford has been one of the few bright spots in a very gloomy season for Manchester United.
The club have exited every major cup competition except the FA Cup, and face a massive battle to make next season’s Champions League.
The teenager has sparkled in the latter end of the campaign as his goals, including the winner against Manchester City, have helped restore some pride.
Rashford is likely to sign a new long-term contract at the club this summer, but despite his efforts to single-handedly save Louis van Gaal’s job, the teenager is still banned from the first-team dressing room.
Van Gaal is keen on lines of demarcation between first-team and the development squad and The Sunday Mirror is reporting that the Dutchman believes the 18-year-old must earn the right to change with Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and the rest of the first team-squad.
Van Gaal’s strict adherence to discipline means Rashford, as well as players such as Guillermo Varela, James Weir, Joe Riley, and Donald Love must change with the U21s before linking up with the first-team at training.
It’s the same situation at lunch, where Rashford is not permitted to eat with his more senior team-mates.
It’s believed that Van Gaal and assistant Ryan Giggs hope the move will keep Rashford grounded and he will not become too used to the more polished privileges senior stars enjoy at Carrington.
