Once the darling of Manchester United, Marcus Rashford now finds himself in a precarious position as the "bad boy" the club seems ready to part ways with. After a blistering post-World Cup run in 2022, scoring 10 goals in 9 Premier League matches between December 27 and January 19, the English international has since faded, becoming a shadow of the player his immense talent promised him to be.

At 27 years old, Rashford has been sidelined since mid-December by manager Rúben Amorim, who hasn’t hesitated to criticize his work ethic. Last weekend, Amorim went even further, boldly stating he would rather field his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than Rashford due to his lack of commitment. The Portuguese manager's harsh critique likely signals the end of Rashford's story with his boyhood club, a sentiment echoed by former United defender Rio Ferdinand.

"If I were the player hearing those words from my manager, it would crush my pride and ego. It's embarrassing. For someone to question your commitment and effort, and suggest you’re cutting corners, is a damning indictment. There’s no way back for Marcus after this," Ferdinand lamented on his YouTube channel. Having spent over a decade at United, Ferdinand knows the level of dedication required to thrive at Old Trafford.

Amorim Hits the Nail on the Head

Ferdinand believes Amorim was justified in his remarks, especially since Rashford hasn’t attempted to refute them. "If it’s not true, you speak out. You hold a press conference and defend yourself. But you only do that if you’re certain no one can challenge your work ethic. In today’s world, players can communicate directly with fans to avoid misrepresentation. If Marcus can’t deny it, he needs to reflect on himself," Ferdinand added.

Rashford’s response remains unclear, but the consensus points to his imminent departure, whether in the coming days or during the summer transfer window. It would mark a sorrowful end for a player once hailed as the embodiment of United’s tradition of developing homegrown talent.

"Rashford was a fantastic player, and he probably still is," said former Blackburn champion Chris Sutton to BBC Radio. "Amorim’s approach is his last resort, and he’s within his rights to demand daily commitment. Rashford has done it before, but for some reason, he isn’t doing it now."

The once-bright future of Manchester United’s golden boy has dimmed, leaving a legacy of unfulfilled potential.