Alan Shearer has warned that Marcus Rashford could face losing his spot at Barcelona if he doesn’t sort his time-keeping out.
After a stellar performance at Newcastle United last week which should have solidified the 27-year-old’s place on the left-wing, he was dropped for the LaLiga champions’ clash with Getafe at the weekend.
Rashford’s omission from the starting XI came after he reported late for a team meeting on the morning of the game, Daily Mail Sport understands.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has imposed a strict rule requiring players to be present on time for meetings and training. Anyone who arrives late are not played, even if the manager had planned to start them.
The disciplinary issue has seen Rashford criticised by pundits back in his native England this week including Ben Foster, Troy Deeney and Manchester United great Paul Scholes.
Premier League record goal-scorer Alan Shearer has now joined that list, dubbing Rashford’s conduct ‘unprofessional’.
Marcus Rashford was dropped by Hansi Flick for Barcelona’s clash against Getafe on the weekend
It came just days after the Englishman scored a stunning brace against Newcastle United
Premier League great Alan Shearer has now warned Rashford he must sort out his conduct
‘We know that if Rashford is ready and if his attitude is right then there’s a player in there,’ the former Newcastle United striker told Betfair.
‘He was sensational against Newcastle. The second finish in particular was amazing. But you can’t be unprofessional. Why should everyone hang around just for you? Why should everyone else be on time but you be late? It’s not right.
‘I guess if he wants to stay there, particularly only being on-loan, you can’t do that when you’re at a top club like Barcelona because there’ll always be someone to take your place.
‘It doesn’t matter if you’re two minutes late or 20 minutes late. You’re late and your teammates have to wait for you. Why should they all be on time and you not?’
It comes after Scholes, who made 716 appearances for Man United, admitted he struggles to be happy for Rashford due to the manner of his Old Trafford exit – accusing him of ‘quitting’ on his boyhood club.
The Carrington academy product was exiled from the United squad by Ruben Amorim back in December before joining Aston Villa on loan and later Barcelona. A return to his boyhood club for Rashford looks highly unlikely under the Portuguese coach.
‘There’s no doubt the talent that kid has got, it’s ridiculous, he’s shown up in a big game, and that second goal was brilliant,’ Scholes said of Rashford on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
‘I really struggled to feel happy for him, to feel pleased for him.
Rashford fell out with United boss Ruben Amorim last year and has had loan spells out since
Paul Scholes admitted this week he finds it difficult to be happy for Rashford due to his United exit
‘Mainly because his attitude, his attitude at United. The time he was leaving, I thought it was just disgrace at United, not trying, basically.
‘Look, if you fell out with a manager, then OK, but remember, you’ve got team-mates you’re playing with.
‘You’ve got a massive 80,000 there, whatever it is, every single week that you have to put a bit of effort in.
‘The amount of times I saw him at United walking because he wants to leave, I thought his whole demeanour was a disgrace.
‘I think he actually quit on Manchester United. And once you quit once, you’ll quit again.’
Rashford will look to do his talking on the pitch once more when Barcelona travel to Real Oviedo in LaLiga on Thursday night.
