From Theatre of Dreams to Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Marcus Rashford – A Beacon of Resilience & Excellence
Marcus Rashford’s story at Manchester United should be one of hope, resilience, and pride culminated in the triumph of restoring glory to England’s most successful first division club but it has instead turned into a tale – perhaps not yet finished – of unfulfilled potential, disproportionate – often unfair – scrutiny and a bitter taste of ‘what might have been’.
From bursting onto the scene in 2016 dubbed the original ‘starboy’ – Rashford – once acclaimed to be the homegrown saviour of a club desperate to return to their Sir Alex Ferguson Era glory days – has since become emblematic of Manchester United’s struggles.
In reality, his story so far is one of wonderkid potential, social activism, and the unfortunate reality of online and racial abuse, a cancer that has plagued football since time immemorial – a far cry from the beacon of hope and limitless ceiling that was anticipated. His loan move to Aston Villa before anything else reignites conversation about the role the media play in shaping narratives around young black athletes.
The Rise of the Starboy
Rashford’s ascent to stardom was nothing short of meteoric. At just 18 years old, Rashford’s place in United’s history was secured after scoring twice on his debut in the Europa League before announcing himself to the Premier League days later with a brace in a 3-2 win against fierce rivals Arsenal.
From that moment he was placed on a pedestal perhaps higher than his actual ability could attain. That notwithstanding, his fearless attitude was a breath of fresh air for a club still reeling from the post-Fergie era. His blistering pace, technical ability and eye for goal made him a nightmare for defenders and over the years, Rashford delivered moments of magic for his boyhood club leading him to become one of the club’s most important players. Cue the expectation.
A Club in Disarray
It’s fair to say Rashford’s development and progression – or lack thereof – has coincided with arguably the most turbulent period in the Red Devils’ history. Since 2013, the club has cycled through multiple managers each with contrasting philosophies and styles.
From Louis van Gaal’s rigid system to Jose Mourinho’s pragmatic approach to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attempt to return United to playing the ‘United Way’ – not including the turbulent tenures of David Moyes, Ralf Rangnick or Erik ten Hag- the lack of a coherent long term vision has stunted not only the growth of Rashford but that of the team as a whole – a glaring fact invariably downplayed when critiquing Rashford.
Despite this instability, during a period where England’s record division winners (for now) have languished on the periphery of mediocrity, Rashford’s contributions to Manchester United are deserving of more praise. All time, Rashford sits 13th in goals scored and 8th in assists aged 27. Yet Rashford has often found himself burdened with unrealistic expectations for a club currently fighting for relevance at best.
Emiliano Martínez: The Goalkeeper Who Talks More Than He Saves (But Still Saves Everything)
Whilst Rashford is not without fault – his form, decision making and application at times have been rightly questioned – it’s clear that the club’s failures have played a significant role in his stagnated trajectory. Rashford’s struggles are symptomatic of Manchester United’s broader decline over the past decade. The club’s inability to build a competitive squad, develop young talent, and provide a stable environment has left players like Rashford to bear the brunt of criticism.
A Voice for Change
Whilst Rashford’s on-field achievements are often dissected and debated, it is his off-field contributions that have truly set him apart yet opened him up to further criticism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rashford emerged as a powerful advocate for social justice. His campaign to extend free school meals for vulnerable children in the UK forced the government to reverse its decision, impacting millions of lives. His efforts earned him widespread acclaim, including an MBE.
Rashford’s activism has transcended football, making him a role model for young people around the world. He has used his platform to address issues such as child poverty, education inequality, and racial injustice. His work demonstrated the power of athletes to drive meaningful change.
However, this crusade also made him a target for the ‘shut up and dribble’ ambassadors. Since then, the spotlight has been intensified on Rashford to have human moments so naysayers can point the finger and say, “See? See who he really is?”
The Dark Side of Fame
Despite his achievements and contributions, Rashford’s career has been marred by relentless online and racial abuse. The numbers, extraordinary in nature, speak for themselves. Like many Black footballers, Rashford has been subjected to vile and hateful messages on social media platforms, however, the amount of abuse Rashford alone has experienced goes far beyond the reality of any other footballer in the world; Black or otherwise.
In 2024, Rashford was the most abused footballer online receiving over 700,000 abusive messages on social media. In percentile, this equated to 27 percent of the abuse all footballers suffered in 2024. Amongst all professionals, Rashford was second in most abused sportspersons in the world, second only to LeBron James – ahead of Kevin Durant and Tom Brady. The pattern of abuse stems as far back as 2021 and 2022 where he was again statistically the most abused footballer in the world.
The abuse often intensifies when United’s form dips – and this has been a familiar theme for the best part of a decade – making Rashford a lightning rod for criticism and racial abuse.
Pundits and fans alike questioned his commitment, work rate and decision-making, often ignoring the broader systemic issues at the club. The media’s tendency to sensationalise his struggles, and highlight his off-field lifestyle choices created a narrative that Rashford was underperforming more than anyone else despite the fact he was often playing through injuries in a dysfunctional team.
Loan Move to Aston Villa
Rashford’s relationship with the club and its fanbase reached a breaking point following the arrival of Ruben Amorim. With United languishing in mid-table and Rashford struggling for consistency, the decision was made to loan him to Aston Villa. The move was seen as a chance for Rashford to rediscover his form and get his joy back.
While some view the loan as a demotion, others like myself, see it as a necessary step in his career. Not only does it represents a chance for redemption, it is an opportunity for Rashford to escape the toxic environment that is Old Trafford. At Villa, he would be free from the relentless unrealistic pressures and unfair scrutiny and hopefully be judged solely on his football instead of by a media landscape that often prioritises off-the-field sensationalism over nuance in bigger markets.
For Rashford, the hope is that he can reignite his career and remind the world of the player he once promised to be. His loan move to Aston Villa serves as a damning indictment of Manchester United’s mismanagement over the past decade and yet another reminder of how far they have fallen.
A Legacy of Resilience
Marcus Rashford’s career thus far is a testament to his resilience and character. He has faced immense challenges, both on and off the pitch, but has consistently risen above them. His continued fight to show up while enduring personal attacks is a reflection of his mental strength and determination and should be commended.
Rashford’s legacy extends far beyond football. He has shown that athletes can be powerful agents of change, using their influence to tackle societal issues and inspire future generations. His journey is a reminder that success is not just measured by trophies and goals, but by the impact one has on the world.
As Marcus Rashford continues to shine as a beacon of strength for black athletes worldwide, fans can take pride in knowing that they are witnessing the career of a player who embodies the values of resilience, excellence, and compassion. His story is far from over, and I for one hope the best is yet to come.
By: @itweetbanter
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alex Livesey / Getty Images