Marcus Rashford has conceded ‘emotion got the better’ of him after the Manchester United player reacted to being heckled by a supporter on Wednesday.
After United’s Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid, a result that confirmed a fifth straight trophy-less campaign for the club, the squad were met with criticism by fans who had gathered at the exit as they left the stadium.
Video footage shows Rashford reacting to one supporter and turning to face the crowd before being ushered back to the team bus by security.
Rashford’s comments were not clearly picked up in the video but the England star has denied claims on social media that he swore at the group.
Explaining the incident, Rashford wrote on Twitter: ‘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. 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 from 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 are supposed to do right?’
Seeking to clarify the situation, Rashford explained he told the fan who heckled him: ‘Come over here and say it to my face.’
The England international has denied flashing a middle finger in response.
‘I want to clarify two things. The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me which ‘come over here 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 my ego. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. And in that moment it was silly but I was being human.’
