Why Marcus might need to leave

Rio Ferdinand has explained why he reckons Marcus Rashford faces a pivotal time and huge decision on his future.

The ex-defender told the Stick to Football podcast via Sky Bet: “It’s a pivotal moment in his career now. He’s not a kid anymore. A lot of people look at potential and talent.

“He’s 26 – what were you [the panel] doing at 26? We were still making mistakes, don’t get me wrong, but on the football pitch you had it locked down, you knew what you were doing, you knew what you were about, who you were.

“There’s a big decision to make for him. From him, he’s got to look at who is around him.

“I know his family play a big part with him, which is great, but who are the external people around that?

“Are they the right people, are they enabling him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors, or are they saying, ‘Look at yourself, and be accountable for what you are doing’? He needs to look at that and own that and make big decisions.

“When I joined Leeds United, I could’ve gone to Chelsea, and they were probably the club I preferred to go to at the time.

“The reason I left [West Ham] to go to Leeds was because it was out of London, and the external people around me, I needed to get away from.

“He’ll need to either decide to get rid of them and stay in Manchester or leave Manchester and get rid of those people.

“It might be an accumulation of different things, but that could be a big part because the people around you do have a big influence on how you are – especially accountability.”