By Tim Parsons-
Marcus Rashford has admitted that his emotions got the better of him after a social media video appeared to show him trying to confront fans.
The Manchester United Ace was filmed after his Manchester United side were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the home team losing 2-1 on aggregate.
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The footage appears to show Rashford walking past fans outside the ground, then trying to head towards them after hearing something shouted at him. He was ushered away by security.
In the 30-second video posted on Twitter, fans waiting after the game call out Rashford for not approaching by shouting “come on Rashford” and “after that performance? Come on guys”. The forward then turns towards the fans, appears to respond and then talks to a nearby security guard, all of which cannot be heard.
The 24-year-old footballer then seems to make a gesture with his hand to the fans as he walks away. Rashford, who came on midway through the second half against Atletico, netted 21 goals in all competitions last season but he has scored just five times in this campaign after making his return from shoulder surgery in October.
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He denied raising his middle finger to the supporters lined up outside Old Trafford, and clarified the words he used during the confrontation.
Rashford also said he is “human” and that the response was not down to his ego, but down to the fact he was “upset and disappointed”.
The forward wrote in a tweet: “A video can paint a thousand words and in this case lead to inaccurate info being shared on social media. Guys for weeks I’ve been heckled, threatened, questioned and last night my emotion got the better of me.
“I’m a human being. Reading and hearing that stuff about yourself every day it wears you down.
“No one is more critical of my performance than me. But what you see in this video lacks context. I had been heckled from the minute I stepped foot outside the ground, abuse not just aimed at my football.
“I want to clarify two things. The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me which [was] ‘come over here and say it to my face’, a fact security can back up.
“Secondly, the fact I used my forefinger to direct the fan to ‘come over and say it to my face’. I did not gesture with my middle finger. I’m not entitled. This isn’t ego. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. And in that moment it was silly but I was being human.”
People were looking for a reaction from me. Phones were at the ready.
“Of course, I should have just walked straight past and ignored it, that’s what we’re supposed to do right? I want to clarify two things.
“I’m not entitled. This isn’t ego.
Man Utd retweeted the statement, posting a heart emoji.
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