‘My emotion got the better of me’
Marcus Rashford has moved to clarify his exchange with a disgruntled supporter outside Old Trafford on Tuesday night, claiming the footage being circulated on social media “lacks context”.
Rashford was a second half substitute as Manchester United exited the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid but struggled to make an impression on the game, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Spanish champions.
In a video recorded outside the stadium after the game, a supporter can be heard criticising Rashford’s performance as he made his way past a group of fans on his way to the players’ car park.
“Come on Rashford, after that performance, come on let’s hear you,” the supporter says.
Rashford can be seen turning to face the supporters at that point, appearing to gesture to the person who made the comment and inviting them to repeat it to his face.
What exactly the England international says is unclear, but plenty on social media have speculated about his exact choice of language, prompting him to respond.
“A video can paint a thousand words and in this case lead to inaccurate info being shared on social media,” Rashford says in a statement shared on his Twitter account.
“Guys for weeks I’ve been heckled, threatened, questioned and last night my emotion got the better of me. I’m a human being.
“Reading and hearing that stuff about yourself every day it wears you down. No one is more critical of my performance than me. But what you see in this video lacks context. I had been heckled from the minute I stepped foot outside the ground, abuse not just aimed at my football.
“People were looking for a reaction from me. Phones were at the ready. Of course I should have walked straight past and ignored it, that’s what we’re supposed to do right?
“I want to clarify 2 things. The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me which “come over here and say it to my face” (a fact security can back up) and secondly, the fact I used my forefinger to direct the fan to ‘come over and say it to my face!
“I did not gesture with my middle finger. I’m not entitled. This isn’t ego. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. And in that
moment it was silly but I was being human.”
United’s defeat means it will now be more than five years since the club last won a major honour.
Related links:
- Marcus Rashford confronts abusive fans after Champions League defeat
- Gary Neville criticised for tweet claiming Rashford would lose ‘off pitch voice’ without Man Utd
- Marcus Rashford considering Man Utd future over lack of playing time
