'That's why Man Utd want to get rid!' - Marcus Rashford blasted for 'tone deaf' decision to attend blockbuster Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight hours after missing Aston Villa's FA Cup semi-final thumping

Rashford missed Villa's defeat to Palace due to a hamstring injury. He was left out of the squad entirely and took himself to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch Eubank Jr take on Benn in a huge Battle of Britain in the evening. Ollie Watkins and Declan Rice were also present at the fight.

A number of fans criticised Rashford for heading out to enjoy himself after Villa's defeat.

@Cantona_Collars said: "Marcus Rashford is tone deaf. Missing a semi-final through injury which your team loses and then heads out for a social event."

@Mairecait_ added: "Wonder why Ruben didn’t want that attitude around, what say Marcus defenders?!"

@ManUtd_addicts wrote: "Marcus Rashford was apparently injured for the Villa semi final at Wembley meanwhile Rashford… If you ever wondered why Man Utd want to get rid of him, there is your answer. He hasn’t cared about football for a very long time. Facts."

However, several came to Rashford's defence, insisting that he has every right to head out for social events, as his time away from football is his own.

@WeAreThePaxton wrote: "I always find these kinds of posts weird. There is a life outside football."

@FootieThinking said: "People that follow Premier League football are f*cking weird. He don’t owe anyone s*it bro, the bros off work and wants to go watch the boxing - grow up."

@Unpaid_Pundit1 concluded: "He has an injury which means he can't run for 90 mins? That doesn't mean he can't sit down and watch the boxing? WTF."

Rashford has stood out since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United, scoring four goals and registering six assists in 17 games. His injury, though, may well rule him out for the remainder of the season, placing his future up in the air.

Villa play Fulham on Saturday. They are currently seventh in the Premier League table, and are three points behind Chelsea in fifth, which is the final Champions League qualification spot.