Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism

Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford responded to Gary Neville. (Image: Getty)

Ed Sheeran was in attendance at Portman Road for Manchester United's highly anticipated clash against Ipswich Town on Sunday evening. Unlike the Ipswich megafan's 2017 single 'Perfect', Ruben Amorim's first match in charge of the visitors was far from it.

But that didn't stop Marcus Rashford from sending a clear message to Gary Neville and the other critics who blew his international break holiday to the United States unnecessarily out of proportion.

Rashford returned to a central position in Amorim's maiden outing - just as he did in his career-best 2022/23 season under then-new boss Erik ten Hag - and instantly made an impact.

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Any concerns about the 27-year-old's off-time were dispelled as he was quickest to react to Amad's bursting run and cross to direct the ball past Arijanet Muric after 80 seconds.

The return of Rashford's trademark 'point to head' celebration, combined with Amorim's cold reaction in the technical area, was enough to galvanise United's support.

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It also left Neville red-faced after he didn't shy away from blasting the Red Devils No. 10's professionalism earlier in the week.

Rashford spent a five-day break—sanctioned by the club—in the United States, visiting New York, where he was spotted enjoying some NBA action.

Neville fuelled the criticism Rashford already unfairly faced by calling out United's poor start to the season, questioning whether he was right in doing so.

Gary Neville blasted Marcus Rashford's holiday. (Image: THE OVERLAP/GETTY) Stay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news Join us on WhatsApp

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"I'm not that wound up about Rashford and Casemiro [who also crossed the Atlantic but wasn't slammed half as much] going over to the United States," Neville said on Stick to Football.

"But what I'm asking is, if you've got a four-day break, it's a 12-hour flight and an eight-hour time difference, your jetlag is bad, and you feel a bit [rough].

"I'm asking the question based on professionalism – you're playing badly, the team are losing, you're 13th in the league, and there is a new manager coming in.

"Would you choose that trip as a break to recharge your batteries? That's not a recharging trip. It's not right that."

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Amorim shut down Neville and Rashford's other critics on Friday when he spoke to the Old Trafford icon in a sit-down interview for Sky Sports.

The 39-year-old admitted would've organised the November international break differently but insisted the players have the right to spend free time as they wish.

Rashford's fifth goal of the season within the opening two minutes of the Amorim era pressed home the reality that his New York expedition wasn't as big a deal as it was made out to be.

He must be judged on his output on the pitch, which, in fairness, has yet to meet standards for a second successive season. However, his personal start to life under Amorim couldn't have started any better.

Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism

Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism

Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism

Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism

Marcus Rashford leaves Gary Neville red-faced as Man Utd star responds to criticism