'Bigger entourage than a boxer!' - Marcus Rashford slammed by ex-Man Utd player as key reason given for lack of interest in Red Devils striker

Rashford was cast aside from the squad last December by Ruben Amorim and sent out on loan to Aston Villa. And former United defender Paul Parker said he thought Rashford did not have a successful stint at Unai Emery's side and angered his team-mates, which explains why Villa have not tried to sign him permanently.

Rashford is one of five players looking for a new club this summer and has been told by United to stay away from pre-season training. However, the forward was present at the club's Carrington base this week to train alone.

"Premier League teams might want the footballer, but not the person and what comes with it. He’s got a bigger entourage than most boxers," Parker exclusively told GOAL. "He didn’t have a good season for Villa, did okay. Jacob Ramsey was visibly the most frustrated person at Villa, wondering why Rashford was playing in front of him, because he wasn’t good enough to play at Manchester United, and certainly wasn’t good enough to play ahead of Ramsey in that Villa team. Watkins was left out of the PSG games, seeing Rashford play in a position that he told United he didn’t want to play, as a centre forward. Villa don’t want him."

Rashford was given a huge contract worth more than £300,000 per week by United in 2023, which Parker believes was a big mistake. He added: "You can’t feel sorry for Rashford with the amount of money he’s earning, but he got let down by the people that were looking after the football before, giving him that money, the shirt number, everything that was wrong for a kid of that age. It has made him a person now that is struggling and everyone has seen it and heard it."

Rashford is hoping to join Barcelona and his chances of moving to Camp Nou have been lifted by Nico Williams deciding to reject a move to the Spanish champions in favour of signing a new contract with Athletic Club. Barca are expected to open talks with Rashford after boss Hansi Flick gave his seal of approval to a potential transfer.