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The Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Marcus Rashford departs Man Utd as the club legend who was let down
As Marcus Rashford is unveiled as a new Barcelona player, one can't help but feel that it could have all been so different. The Manchester-born United fan who netted twice on his debut seemed like a fairytale story, and for a while it was, with the then-18-year-old even playing a part in a major trophy win as Manchester United won a first FA Cup in 13 years that May. However, fast forward to 2025 and fans and pundits seem to be in unanimous agreement that a loan exit for a once-adored academy product is best for all parties. But while a large section of the fanbase have been quick to blame the 27-year-old, it may pay for both United and their fans to look inward when pondering what went wrong with their latest club legend. It's true that it could barely have gone more wrong for Rashford in the last couple of years, and yet he will be lining up for one of the world's best sides next season. And while Barcelona's obvious financial issues have contributed to the deal, Rashford has proven himself capable of playing at this level. 138 goals across 426 games for Manchester United is a statistic that speaks for itself, despite United's comparatively lowly stature of late, and he is one of United's only recent players who could genuinely claim to be world class at one point, even if it was for only a season. In fact, only a handful of recent United players – including Angel di Maria, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata – can claim to be more naturally talented than the Englishman, with fewer still possessing the same physical traits that nowadays are so vital to platforming such talent in the Premier League. And Rashford has also been the most successful, winning one Europa League, two FA Cups and two League Cups since his debut. A modest return when compared with some of his predecessors, but not something to be sniffed at considering the state of the club during his own peak years. Some legends are made because of their contribution during glory years, others span mixed periods, and some are made during a club's worst years. Rashford falls in the middle, an ever-present for years since his debut, a winger who stood for everything the idealised United player is supposed to: quick, direct, skilful, with the ability to get fans off their seats and score goals. It is these factors that will appeal to Barcelona. And as for explaining Rashford's exit, suffice to say that he is simply the most recent in a long list of players that the club has let down, from Di Maria and Pogba to Wayne Rooney. United nowadays is a picture of failure, from the pitch to the boardroom and in many areas in between. This has shown most obviously on the pitch, in a theme that has been running since the Glazers took over. Rooney was the first to realise when he questioned the club's ambition in 2010. Rashford is just another on this list, an easy scapegoat due to his deeper ties to the club. Some fans will argue the opposite, pointing out how Rashford supposedly 'downed tools' as well as his admittedly poor performances in the last two seasons, but they are failing to look at the the bigger picture. Alongside Rashford, Bruno Fernandes is probably the only success story to come out of the period between 2016 and 2025. If only two players are able to succeed at the club, whose fault is that likely to be? Rather than throw blame at Rashford, perhaps it is better to ask ourselves: What exactly were we expecting? For Rashford to carry one of the biggest clubs in the world on his back for almost a decade, and to win the Champions League while doing so? From the scouting and buying of the required level of player to hiring poor managers, it is an undisputed fact that United have constantly been failing in key areas, so to pin all the blame for this current situation on Rashford is blatantly unfair. But is precisely that constant blame that will have made Rashford's situation worse. Unfortunately for him, Rashford continues to draw the ire of United fans for myriad reasons, but rather than anything constructive he is merely subjected to questions over his commitment or an increase in general press coverage on every issue from relationships to the cars he is driving. People are quick to dismiss the human reasons when evaluating where it all went wrong for different footballers, often with reference to the wages they make, as if there is a certain payment threshold whereby you magically become immune to abuse. Like Paul Pogba and many others in England before him, Rashford has also received the full spectrum of abuse on social media. A difficult thing to deal with at any time, let alone when every single thing you do is scrutinised on top of that. And so the question is raised again – did we really expect him to almost single-handedly lead United to various titles despite all of this too? Of course, it may not happen for him in Catalonia either, and he may face a similar level of media attention at the Nou Camp. But one of the biggest questions around Rashford's career has always been the 'what if?' What if he played in an easier league? What if he had a better structure, better teammates, better managers? We're about to find out. He may not have fulfilled the early promise at United, but it is difficult not to feel happy for Rashford as he is unveiled as a Barcelona player. The boyhood United fan may not have achieved what he wanted, but he now has a chance to shine at a club on a similar stage, but with a far more useful structure around him (despite Barca's well-publicised problems). But whatever happens with his United future, Barcelona offers a chance for Rashford to achieve his domestic footballing dreams, earn a place in the England squad and get back to loving football – and that is an opportunity he deserves no matter what Teddy Sheringham thinks.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Argentine clubs welcome back away fans after 12 years
BUENOS AIRES: Argentine football clubs can now welcome away supporters after a 12-year ban, the Argentine Football Association said yesterday. The ban, imposed in 2013 following violent incidents, including the death of a spectator, has now been lifted as part of a staged reintroduction ahead of the next round of fixtures in the current league campaign. "This is a historic day because it marks the beginning of the return of visiting fans, enabling clubs that wish to host them to do so," AFA president Claudio Tapia said at a press conference. He added that the move was partly motivated by the excitement surrounding Angel Di Maria's return to Argentina's top flight. Test events are scheduled for this weekend, including Di María's presentation with Rosario Central at Lanus' stadium and River Plate's visit to Instituto de Cordoba. Rosario Central president Gonzalo Belloso appealed to his club's fans to behave appropriately amid the renewed presence of rival supporters. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires Province Security Minister, stressed that clubs wishing to host visiting fans will need to secure approval from the authorities and that the away team must ensure the responsible behaviour of its supporters. - REUTERS
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Argentine clubs welcome back away fans after 12 year-ban is lifted
Argentine football clubs can now welcome away supporters after a 12-year ban, the Argentine Football Association said on Thursday. The ban, imposed in 2013 following violent incidents, including the death of a spectator, has now been lifted as part of a staged reintroduction ahead of the next round of fixtures in the current league campaign. 'This is a historic day because it marks the beginning of the return of visiting fans, enabling clubs that wish to host them to do so,' AFA president Claudio Tapia said at a press conference. ALSO READ: Indoor warmups: Brazil players slam CONMEBOL over Women's Copa America conditions He added that the move was partly motivated by the excitement surrounding Angel Di Maria's return to Argentina's top flight. Test events are scheduled for this weekend, including Di María's presentation with Rosario Central at Lanus' stadium and River Plate's visit to Instituto de Cordoba. Angel Di Maria shows his Rosario Central soccer club jersey during his presentation event as the club's new player at Gigante de Arroyito stadium in Rosario, Argentina, Monday, July 7, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP Rosario Central president Gonzalo Belloso appealed to his club's fans to behave appropriately amid the renewed presence of rival supporters. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires Province Security Minister, stressed that clubs wishing to host visiting fans will need to secure approval from the authorities and that the away team must ensure the responsible behaviour of its supporters.
CNA
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Argentine clubs welcome back away fans after 12 years
BUENOS AIRES :Argentine football clubs can now welcome away supporters after a 12-year ban, the Argentine Football Association said on Thursday. The ban, imposed in 2013 following violent incidents, including the death of a spectator, has now been lifted as part of a staged reintroduction ahead of the next round of fixtures in the current league campaign. "This is a historic day because it marks the beginning of the return of visiting fans, enabling clubs that wish to host them to do so," AFA president Claudio Tapia said at a press conference. He added that the move was partly motivated by the excitement surrounding Angel Di Maria's return to Argentina's top flight. Test events are scheduled for this weekend, including Di María's presentation with Rosario Central at Lanus' stadium and River Plate's visit to Instituto de Cordoba. Rosario Central president Gonzalo Belloso appealed to his club's fans to behave appropriately amid the renewed presence of rival supporters. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires Province Security Minister, stressed that clubs wishing to host visiting fans will need to secure approval from the authorities and that the away team must ensure the responsible behaviour of its supporters.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Di Maria breaks down in tears as he returns to ex-club 12 months after threats
Angel Di Maria has rejoined Rosario Central 12 months after he and his family received a series of threats warning him not to return to the club he started his career at An emotional Angel Di Maria could not hold back the tears as he rejoined his boyhood club Rosario Central. Di Maria began his professional career at Rosario Central back in 2005, before going on to play for Benfica, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Juventus. The 37-year-old's return to Argentina was announced back in May, but he remained with Benfica for the Club World Cup where they reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Chelsea. Di Maria was close to rejoining Rosario Central last summer, but a series of threats ended those plans. "There was a threat at my sister's business, a box with a pig's head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to [Rosario] Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia," Di Maria told local media last July. "Those months were horrible. We could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream return." Just 12 months on, Di Maria has been able to fulfil his dream and the winger broke down in tears as he was officially unveiled on Monday. "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything," he said. "It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years. Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything. "It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time. I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible. But that's in the past, and I'm here now. "I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted. I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more." Di Maria also revealed that he spoke with Lionel Messi ahead of his return, adding: "I spoke with him and with many of the boys on the national team because it's obvious that I have a very good relationship with all of them. "When I didn't come last year, they supported me; they're more than friends, they're like brothers. I'm happy. Leo wrote to me, let a few days go by, he knew my dream was familiar and told me he was very happy. He congratulated me and wished me the best."
