Arsenal legend Ian Wright
Arsenal legend Ian Wright (Image: The Overlap)
Ian Wright has defended Marcus Rashford from critics after the Manchester United forward was left out by Ruben Amorim for a second successive match.
With seven goals in 24 appearances so far this campaign, Rashford's career seems to be at a crossroads coinciding with Man United's recent change in management.
Amorim made the decision to drop the 27-year-old ahead of last Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City - explaining the decision was based on training performance and the way he carried himself around the training ground - and then for Thursday's Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham Hotspur he was missing.
Between those matches the man in question had undertaken an interview, saying he is ready for a 'new challenge'. His new boss responded: "Of course (I would be happy to keep him), because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent. So he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus."
With Rashford's critics unhappy with his current form, nor with what he has had to say in recent days, Wright has now had his say.
Responding in the comments section of The Overlap's recent Instagram post, the striker-turned-pundit reminded people: "I got to Arsenal at 28, but you expect ME to write off someone with the ability Marcus has at 27!!!! So many of you are desperate to see these young people fail so that you can say you were right."
Wright added: "You would take 1% of the career Marcus has had."
The post itself was a clipped-up segment of The Overlap podcast's latest show, in which the pundits discussed Rashford's current situation.
Former Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher argued that at 27, the Man United No.10 has surpassed the point of performing to the levels of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of his old team, plus Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.
Wright disagreed, thinking Rashford still has the potential, which caused a fallout on the show.
"27 is not an age to be writing someone off. He has the capability," Wright had said. "I think he is somebody in a different dressing room with a different environment around him, he has the ability. He doesn’t run at Man United. He needs a different challenge."
Interestingly, Wright's former side and Premier League rivals Arsenal are one of the teams the Man United academy graduate has been linked to.