Marcus Rashford (Image: Getty)
Phil Jones understands what it’s like to be at the centre of melancholic attention at , given the relentless injury woes he suffered throughout his 12-year career at Old Trafford. Jones arrived as a highly-rated teenager in a £17million deal from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 – to almighty praise from Sir Alex Ferguson.
But he managed just 229 appearances across his United stint, averaging just 19 per year. Jones retired from football after his contract expired last summer.
Now, Marcus Rashford’s run at his boyhood club appears to be jittering to an underwhelming end, and his relationship with supporters is at an all-time low.
excluded the 27-year-old from his squad in last weekend’s derby victory at , suggesting it was due to poor training performance.
A day later, Rashford revealed that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” in a bombshell interview with journalist Henry Winter.
Amorim responded by leaving the United No. 10 out of the following two squads against and AFC Bournemouth.
It has plummetted Rashford’s future into grave uncertainty, with the January transfer window right around the corner.
Phil Jones had endless injury issues at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
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The England international has faced regular criticism for his body language since the start of last season, with many claiming he’s not enjoying his football.
Former teammate Jones believes that, in the future, he’ll regret how he handled himself if his United career comes to a close in the coming months.
“I feel sorry for Marcus Rashford. I know there’s that little kid in him who loves playing football and loves the club,” Jones explained to Sport.
“It has been a difficult period for him and a hard one to deal with. In hindsight, he will look back and think, ‘I might have been able to handle it all a bit better.’
“It is clear that he’s not enjoying football. He has to detach himself from the outside noise, and he has to get back to enjoying playing football again.”
Amorim also excluded Alejandro Garnacho from the Manchester derby, citing the same reason as Rashford’s absence.
But the 20-year-old winger has seemingly fought his way back into the United boss’ plans, featuring off the bench in the defeats to and Bournemouth.
Rashford’s continued absence suggests that all isn’t well in his case, although it hasn’t been confirmed whether it’s a direct result of his public comments.