Marcus Rashford’s rollercoaster career: dream start with two goals in Man United’s win, campaign against child poverty, 12-hour tequila drink and social media abuse

Marcus Rashford has delivered a worrying message to fans on social media, revealing he endured “months of abuse”, with Man United supporters placing some of the blame on YouTuber Mark Goldbridge.

The 26-year-old striker has had a difficult season on the pitch, having failed to match his 30 goals during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring eight times so far in all competitions this season.

Goldbridge runs a fan channel called The United Stand, which has 1.85 million subscribers on YouTube. He has recently posted several videos in which he criticizes the England star, notably calling Rashford “about as useful as a dustbin without wheels”.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Rashford responded to a message on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that the criticism he had received was unfair. The message read: “The way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting. It’s cruel. It’s abuse. The United striker responded by saying he was tired of the abuse he had suffered in recent months. ‘I appreciate your help! This is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough,” Rashford said.

Here we look at his rollercoaster career.

Marcus Rashford scored twice on his first Manchester United start in 2016

In the past, the Man United striker has led several campaigns to end child poverty.

Rashford was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2021

February 2016: Burst onto the scene at 18 with two goals on his first Manchester United start in a Europa League win over Midtjylland, then two more on his Premier League debut against Arsenal three days later. Wins the club’s Young Player of the Year award and signs a new deal to stay until 2020.

March 2020: During the Covid lockdown, he teamed up with charities to distribute free school meals and was later credited with persuading the government to extend free school meals to children during school holidays. Created a task force on child food poverty and was awarded the MBE later that year, also appearing on the cover of Vogue in recognition of her role as a political activist and campaigner.

July 2023: The most productive season of his career as he scored 30 goals in all competitions and was voted Player of the Season. He signs a new contract at United until 2028, reportedly worth £315,000 per week.

October 2023: He sparked controversy by going out to party for his birthday on the evening of a 3-0 derby defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City. Manager Erik ten Hag later said his conduct was “unacceptable”.

By Christmas he scored just two Premier League goals, in stark contrast to his brilliant form the previous season.

January 2024: Misses United training and is left out of the squad for the FA Cup clash at Newport due to “illness”, although it turns out he was on an evening out in Belfast the previous week to a “12 hour tequila bender”. Former United skipper Gary Neville is among those to criticize the striker, saying he needs to think about his “choices and timing”.

Rashford has struggled to match his tally of 30 goals from last season, scoring eight times in all competitions in 2023-24.

Rashford faced criticism after he was spotted entering a Belfast nightclub late at night last month, despite attending a United training session the following morning.

February 2024: Admits making mistakes without directly addressing the Belfast controversy, but says any suggestion he is not committed to United’s cause is far from the truth: ‘It’s like someone questioning questions my entire identity and everything I represent as a man.”

FRIDAY: Concerns about his presence on social media are growing as, in a post on I appreciate your support! This is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.’