The iconic former Manchester United captain has offered his verdict on Marcus Rashford's comments that the environment at the Red Devils prevented him from becoming a consistent player.
ITV Sport pundit Roy Keane has spoken about Marcus Rashford.
ITV Sport pundit Roy Keane has spoken about Marcus Rashford.(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
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Roy Keane reckons that Marcus Rashford was "part of the problem" with the environment at Manchester United and claimed that he should have been setting the standard as "one of their most experienced players."
Rashford, 27, left United in the summer to sign for Barcelona on a season-long loan deal. He has since enjoyed an impressive start to life with the Catalan outfit, scoring three times and providing five assists in his 10 appearances.
His form has kept him in Thomas Tuchel's England squad during the build-up to next summer's World Cup. Ahead of Tuesday night's qualifier vs Latvia, Rashford was asked about Tuchel's assessment that he only needs consistency to take him to a world-class level.
Responding to that comment, Rashford said that he wanted to become a more consistent player, but suggested that the environment at United had prevented him from achieving that. "For sure, consistency is a massive part of it," Rashford told ITV.
"I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time. So then it is [can be] even more difficult to be consistent.
"But I completely agree, I think consistency is what I need to bring into my game and I'm looking to do that. I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible.
"When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything not just sport, you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train. We have just had so many changes so far in my career but I have to look forward and that it definitely one of the things I want to put right - and improve on to be at my best more often. When I'm at my best I really enjoy everything about the sport."
Now, in the coverage leading up to the game against Latvia, Keane has fired back at Rashford and claimed that he was part of the issue that led to United becoming an environment problem for players. When asked on ITV if the environment at United was not helping Rashford, Keane said: "Well, it doesn't help, but if you look back at Marcus' time at United towards the end, there were obviously issues going on. He had one or two issues off the field.
Marcus Rashford has impressed with Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford has impressed with Barcelona.
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"I think he was late for one or two meetings, on a night out in Belfast or whatever, so he was part of the problem with the environment, particularly as one of the most experienced players at United. He should have been setting the standards and showing new people at the club what it's like to be a United player, but I think that's been well-documented.
"What we have to look at with Marcus is he's got this sort of chance now with England - and he deserves it. And there's no doubt about his talent. He's obviously fantastic.
"His stats obviously need to improve if he wants to go on to that next level, like Thomas Tuchel just said there, in terms of goals and assists, but he has the talent.
"But the other bit that I think would have frustrated fans - not just maybe England more so United, was his body language or not running back or not pressing properly. They're the stuff he has to tidy up, and if he does that, then there's no reason why he can't still go on and become a world-class player."
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