Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes the high level of scrutiny on Marcus Rashford has pushed him towards the Old Trafford exit door. Rashford revealed during a bombshell interview in December that he was 'ready for a new challenge' away from his boyhood club after nine years in the first team. Barcelona , Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are among the clubs linked with a loan move for the England international before the transfer window shuts on February 3.
The year-old has not played under Ruben Amorim since going public with his desire to leave Manchester United and Ferdinand believes being one of the faces of the club has taken its toll. Ferdinand, speaking exclusively to Mail Sport in Dubai, said: 'Manchester United, also people around Marcus, need to make sure that he leaves in the best tact mentally as well as physically. Mentally more importantly because I think he's been over-scrutinised for a few years now. Marcus Rashford's future is far from certain after he revealed he wanted a new challenge.
Rashford right has not played under Ruben Amorim left since his bombshell interview. And when you're held up as one of the faces of the club then that is part and parcel unfortunately of being at Man United. But then the question is where do you go? So there are a lot of questions that need answering but only he is going to be able to do that. He is going to do something — whether he goes or stays — and when he makes that decision he will still not be per cent sure.
Amorim has had a disappointing start to life in the Old Trafford dugout since joining from Sporting in November but Ferdinand, who was speaking shortly after the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai , believes short-term pain will lead to long-term gain.
Ferdinand did however highlight a major flaw in Amorim's favoured formation. He adds: 'Man United need to suffer short term rather than look at short-term successes. They have big problems and need to weed them out and then they become teething problems and hopefully go. Amorim has said he is willing to have a little bit of hurt and pain short term for a gain and positives in a year's time.
