Dolan Sympathises with Rashford's Manchester United Treatment
Former Manchester City academy product Tyrhys Dolan has openly expressed his belief that Marcus Rashford was "treated poorly" during his tenure at Manchester United. Dolan, now playing for Espanyol, shared these sentiments after facing Rashford in a recent La Liga match, highlighting the forward's challenging experiences in England.
Rashford's Barcelona Loan and Resurgence
Marcus Rashford secured a season-long loan move to Barcelona last summer following a directive from Manchester United to seek a new club. This decision came after a significant fallout with then-manager Ruben Amorim, which led to his exclusion from the first-team squad, a subsequent loan to Aston Villa, and ultimately his departure from Old Trafford.
Since joining Barcelona, Rashford has experienced a notable revival in form. The 28-year-old England international has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performances have fueled speculation that Barcelona may exercise a £26 million option-to-buy clause to make his transfer permanent this summer.
Dolan's Insights from the Pitch
Tyrhys Dolan, who joined Espanyol on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers in the same window as Rashford's move to Barcelona, faced his compatriot during a Catalan derby in January. Reflecting on the encounter, Dolan praised Rashford's career achievements and expressed admiration for sharing the pitch with him.
"After the game we shared some words and I'm glad to see him enjoying his football because I think he got treated a little bit poorly at times," Dolan stated. He emphasised the pressures of professional football and noted Rashford's improved mental health and performance levels at Barcelona.
Scrutiny and Challenges at Manchester United
Rashford's time at Manchester United was marked by intense scrutiny both on and off the pitch. Following his breakthrough in the 2015/16 season, he faced criticism for various incidents, including:
- Being admonished by a Conservative MP for his efforts to tackle child hunger during the pandemic, with suggestions he should focus solely on football.
- Arriving late for training sessions and attending a party in Belfast, only to report ill the following day.
- Public criticism from manager Ruben Amorim regarding his commitment in training, with Amorim famously stating he would prefer to select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach over Rashford for the bench.
These challenges contributed to a strained relationship with the club, culminating in his loan move to Barcelona, where he has since found renewed success and appreciation.
