Some Manchester United supporters believe first-team coach Mike Phelan has aimed a subtle dig at Marcus Rashford after the England international shared videos on social media of him gearing up for the start of pre-season training.
Rashford, who was left out of the England squad for the four UEFA Nations League fixtures earlier this month, is currently in the US ahead of pre-season officially getting under way in a week's time on June 27. The attacker will be among the first crop of players to return to Carrington after not being called up for international duty this summer.
Despite having jetted off to the US for a holiday, the United academy graduate has been uploading videos and photographs of himself working hard on his fitness levels, making it clear that he is determined to put a disappointing 2021/22 campaign behind him. He scored just five goals in 32 appearances last season and looked a shadow of his former self.
READ MORE: Seven things Erik ten Hag must address in Manchester United pre-season
But despite some supporters being pleased to see Rashford putting the hard yards in ahead of pre-season commencing, others believe that Phelan is unimpressed by the 24-year-old's efforts due to his Twitter activity. The former Hull City boss retweeted the opinion of former United fitness coach Tony Strudwick, who now works for both Arsenal and the Wales national team, on players not being fully committed with the help of fitness staff during the season.
Strudwick wrote: "Really great to see so many professional football players posting videos of how hard they work during the off-season. Why not commit 100% the other 48 weeks of the year with club support staff? [Thinking face emoji]. Then have a well deserved break!"
Some United fans interpreted Phelan's interaction with the tweet as a dig at Rashford, who has made an obvious point of showing his online followers how much physical work he is putting in ahead of the new season.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
READ NEXT:
- Richard Arnold ended a Manchester United problem with simple gesture Ed Woodward never made
- Manchester United have six young players who could benefit from transfer market struggles
- Manchester United issue response to viral footage of Richard Arnold meeting with fans
- Mitchell van der Gaag will solve biggest problem in Manchester United dressing room
- How Manchester United could line up in the Europa League under Erik ten Hag
