Paul Scholes: Marcus Rashford Should Be “Banished” from Manchester United Dressing Room

Paul Scholes has launched a scathing attack on Marcus Rashford, saying the Manchester United forward's attitude is letting his teammates down and he should be 'banished' from the dressing room.

Paul Scholes, a former Manchester United midfielder, has expressed his disappointment with Marcus Rashford's recent behavior, stating that the out-of-favor forward has let his teammates down. Scholes believes that Rashford's attitude is the primary concern for manager Ruben Amorim, who has left him out of the squad for several games. Rashford, 27, has not played for United since December 12th, apart from being an unused substitute in one game.

Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles with United, shared his strong views on Rashford's situation during The Overlap Fan Debate. “I think Marcus has let a lot of people down really, with his attitude, and I think that's what the manager is trying to say,” Scholes said. He emphasized that Rashford's behavior is not only affecting himself but also influencing younger players in the team.

Scholes highlighted the importance of setting a good example, especially for young players like Alejandro Garnacho, who look up to Rashford as a role model. “You think of the young players coming through the team, think of (Alejandro) Garnacho, they're looking up to people like Marcus now - he's 27 years of age, and he's clearly not training properly,” Scholes noted. He drew from his own experience, recalling a conversation with former manager Alex Ferguson, to illustrate the significance of not letting teammates down.

Scholes recounted a past incident where he told Ferguson that he didn't want to play in a particular game against Arsenal. Ferguson's response had a lasting impact on Scholes. “He said to me, 'The worst thing you did is let your teammates down', and that really stuck with me because I wasn't really thinking about that - and now I think Marcus Rashford, he's doing exactly the same,” Scholes said, emphasizing the importance of considering the team's interests above individual concerns.

Paul Scholes has intensified his criticism of Marcus Rashford, suggesting that the Manchester United forward's behavior and training habits are tantamount to saying “I don't want to be involved” with the team. “OK, he's not refusing to play, but in the way he's behaving and the way he's training, in a way he is saying I don't want to be involved with these,” Scholes said. He believes that Rashford's actions are letting his teammates down and setting a poor example for younger players.

Scholes emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive and professional team dynamic, stating that Rashford's behavior is detrimental to the dressing room environment. “So I think the fact of letting your teammates down in that dressing room - he should be banished from the dressing room really. If he's in and around that and young people are seeing that as an example, the sooner he's gone the better,” Scholes said. His comments echo those of former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who recently stated that there is “no way back” for Rashford following manager Ruben Amorim's public criticism.

Paul Scholes on Rashford: “I think Marcus has let a lot of people down really, with his attitude, and I think that’s what the manager is trying to say — he should be banished from the dressing room really.” [@WeAreTheOverlap] #MUFC

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— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) January 28, 2025

Rashford's future at Manchester United remains uncertain, with several top European clubs linked to a potential move during the January transfer window. In December, Rashford expressed his desire for a “new challenge,” just two days after being left out of the squad to face Manchester City. Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan are among the clubs reportedly interested in signing Rashford, who has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United. However, any potential transfer is complicated by Rashford's reported £300,000-a-week salary on a deal that runs until 2028.