Marcus Rashford issues strong statement over 'photo with a rapper' as Man Utd outcast urges tabloids to stop 'focusing on me'

The wantaway United forward took to Instagram on Thursday to say he had been contacted by a 'tabloid' newspaper informing him about a story they were going to run where he is pictured with a rapper. The 27-year-old said "I do not know this person" but also urged the press to not "focus on him" and to use their platforms to raise awareness of charities trying to tackle knife crime in the United Kingdom. The England international also expressed his "deepest sympathy" to the family of Jimmy Mizen - a 16-year-old schoolboy who was murdered in London in 2008.

He wrote in an Instagram story: "Been contacted today (Thursday) by a tabloid informing me that they plan to publish a photo of me with a rapper apparently taken a year ago. I want to make it clear I have never seen this photo, I do not know this person, and I am not friends with him. Like most footballers if someone asks for a photo with me, I will never refuse but I am obviously not able to do a background check on every individual that asks me for a photo. Can I please urge the tabloids rather than focusing on me, to use their platforms to help raise positive awareness of the many charities and individuals that work daily throughout the UK to tackle knife crime to prevent more families suffering tragic loss. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jimmy Mizen."

Instagram

This comes less than two hours before Rashford's United side host lowly Southampton in the Premier League. The Red Devils academy product, who hasn't played for the club for a month after being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim, has been linked with an Old Trafford exit after saying he wanted a "new challenge" and teams across Europe are interested in his signature. Once again, Rashford is not in the United squad for the match.

Rashford is likely to remain headline news until his future is decided. There are still two weeks left in the January transfer window for Rashford to try and find a move away from Old Trafford.