Arsenal legend Ian Wright has told Marcus Rashford to "stand his ground" after Manchester United forward was filmed confronting a fan after the recent home defeat by Atletico Madrid.
As is often the case after a game at home, a flock of United fans waited for the players to emerge from Old Trafford on Tuesday night but one supporter made their feelings on the dismal display clear to a disappointed Rashford. The England international had endured a particularly poor showing against the La Liga titans who ran out 1-0 winners on the night.
Reports emerged that Rashford had given the supporter a middle finger gesture in response, claims he has since denied, though he did admit he was "silly". However, Wright has insisted he should not have to explain himself and by doing so gives certain supporters exactly what they want.
In a short clip uploaded to his Twitter profile, Wright passionately explains: "Listen, I've just got to address something that I saw, someone just sent me the Marcus Rashford video where he confronted the fans because the fans were digging him out and he offered one of them out.
"I don't know who is doing this for him man, who is doing this apologising? What the f*** is he apologising for that for?
"These people, so quick to say 'I'm so sorry' - that's exactly what gives these fans that fuel to think they can just dig people out. Marcus, stand your ground bro - tell them about their r*******-selves. Don't be f****** sorry for that bro. Some of them fans love giving it but they can't take it man.
"You just do your stuff, get back to where you need to be bro when you're playing - f*** them fans bro." Wright's comments come less than 24 hours after Rashford uploaded a lengthy statement to his own social media addressing the incident.
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"A video can paint a thousand words and in this case lead to inaccurate info being shared on social media. Guys, for weeks I've been heckled, threatened, questioned and last night my emotion got the better of me. I'm a human being," the 24-year-old wrote.
"Reading and hearing that stuff about yourself every day, it wears you down. No one is more critical of my performance than me. But what you see in this video lacks context. I had been heckled from the minute I stepped foot outside the ground, abuse not just aimed at my football. People were looking for a reaction from me. Phones were at the ready.
"Of course, I should have walked straight past and ignored it - that's what we're supposed to do, right? I want to clarify two things. The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me which 'come over he and say it to my face' (a fact security can back up) and secondly, the fact I used my forefinger to direct the fan to 'come over and say it to my face'.
"I did not gesture with my middle finger. I am not entitled. This isn't ego. I'm upset. I'm disappointed. And in that moment it was silly, but I was being human."
Rashford has endured one of his toughest seasons as a first-team regular at Old Trafford, shaking off a serious shoulder injury to score just five goals for the Red Devils across all competitions. The forward's form has waned so much that recent reports have suggested he could be dropped from the upcoming England squad.
United's number 10 is one of many misfiring stars struggling for form as the club's season threatens to derail. Ralf Rangnick's side will almost certainly end the season without silverware yet again, their last trophy coming in 2017.
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