Marcus Rashford is slammed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the ex-England coach insists the misfiring Man United forward’s ‘main priority is NOT football’ and questions his work rate

Former England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has fuelled the debate over Marcus Rashford’s attitude by questioning if football is the Manchester United star’s No.1 priority.

United boss Erik ten Hag reminded Rashford about the importance of a good lifestyle last week and then had to refute claims by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp that he benched the player at Crystal Palace because of an issue behind the scenes.

But Hasselbaink, who worked as Gareth Southgate’s assistant for 17 months and helped to coach the England forwards, has raised doubts over Rashford’s commitment after he was axed from the Euro 24 squad this summer.

‘When you look at Marcus Rashford and you look at his body language – and I’m not saying this is true – but it looks like football is not his main priority,’ Hasselbaink told Genting Casino.

‘Do we know if Rashford can play football? Yes. Hell, yes. When he’s playing off the left and he’s playing his best football, he’s a very, very good player.

The Man United forward has scored three goals and provided an assist so far this season 

‘When he was at his top level, he used to sprint so much and run in behind the defence. He used to work so hard running at defenders. That’s when Marcus is at his best – and I just don’t see that anymore.

‘For a player like Rashford, when one of your main attributes is that explosive pace, you have to suffer for your art.

‘You have to be prepared to give everything to work as hard with and without the ball, and that means you need to feel a little bit of pain because it takes a lot of physical power to ask your body to do that in every single game. I don’t see a player that is willing to push himself like he used to.’

Even though Ten Hag was adamant that putting Rashford on the bench at Palace was purely a matter of rotation, he had to discipline the 26-year-old on two occasions last season for going nightclubbing.

Hasselbaink backed his fellow Dutchman, adding: ‘It’s not just Ten Hag’s responsibility for Rashford to improve, there has to be the desire from the player.

Hasselbaink is the latest figure to weigh into the debate around Rashford at Man United

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp had claimed Rashford had been benched against Crystal Palace because of an issue behind the scenes

Ten Hag hit back at Redknapp by insisting the forward had merely been rotated for match 

‘There is no doubt that Marcus Rashford has the ability. It’s a mental thing. It’s down to him to see that improvement. Only Marcus Rashford can unlock himself.’

Ten Hag must decide whether to start Rashford against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday in what he predicts will be an exciting encounter.

‘I think it will be a very intensive game,’ said the United manager. 

‘It always is against Tottenham and it is our style as well, so I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game.’