In recent days, Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has found himself in controversy following reports of a 12-hour tequila-fueled night out in Belfast, which allegedly led to him calling in sick for training.
The fallout from this incident has sparked discussions about potential fines, internal disciplinary actions, and the impact on team dynamics. Here, we will delve into the details of Rashford’s latest off-field incident, his history of partying, and the implications for his career and relationship with the club.
Marcus Rashford’s Night Out in Belfast
The events in question transpired during Marcus Rashford’s trip to Belfast, where he was seen enjoying a night out at various establishments. The footballer reportedly partied until the early hours of the morning, eventually leading to his absence from training the following day. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Marcus Rashford was visibly intoxicated, with claims that he even passed out fully clothed in front of a waitress.
Timeline of Events:
To better understand the sequence of events, here is a timeline of Marcus Rashford’s trip to Belfast and the subsequent fallout:
Wednesday, January 24:
- 9:55 am: Rashford attends training with Manchester United.
- 4:21 pm: Rashford departs from Manchester on a private jet to Belfast.
- 5:17 pm: Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and later visits the Dirty Onion pub and Lavery’s bar.
Thursday, January 25:
- 1:06 pm: Rashford visits Larne FC.
- 2:00 pm: Rashford goes to an Italian restaurant with his entourage, where he meets Sarah Adair.
- 4:30 pm: The group leaves the restaurant before heading to Villa Italia in the evening.
Friday, January 26:
- 12:30 am: Rashford and his group go to Thompson’s Garage nightclub.
- 2:00 am: The group leaves the club and returns to the Fitzwilliam Hotel.
- 2:50 am: Rashford reportedly passes out fully clothed in his hotel room.
- 5:00 am: Rashford and his entourage leave the hotel.
- 7:00 am: They board a private jet at Belfast airport.
- 8:00 am: Rashford lands in Manchester and calls in sick for training.
Sunday, January 28:
- Marcus Rashford is dropped from Manchester United’s FA Cup match against Newport County.
Monday, January 29:
- 8:45 am: Rashford arrives at training with his agent brother Dwaine Maynard and holds talks with manager Erik Ten Hag and football director John Murtough.
Eyewitness Accounts
Reports from Sarah Adair, a waitress who claims to have been invited out by Rashford, shed light on the footballer’s behavior during the night out. Adair describes Marcus Rashford as being “clearly on a mission to get drunk,” ordering shots of tequila and cocktails while neglecting his food. The night reportedly ended with Rashford passing out in his hotel room, fully clothed, with Adair having to put him to bed.
Sarah Adair, recounting her experience with Rashford, stated, “He was clearly on a mission to get drunk.” She mentioned that Rashford ordered shots of tequila and cocktails, neglecting his food at the Italian restaurant. Adair also described the aftermath, saying, “He falls back into the wall, and I have to kind of scoop him up and onto the bed. He was fully dressed, and I reckon he just passed out like that. He didn’t even get under the covers.”
Repercussions and Disciplinary Actions
Manchester United, in response to the incident, issued a statement acknowledging Marcus Rashford’s responsibility for his actions and classifying the matter as an “internal disciplinary matter,” which is now considered closed. While the club did not confirm any specific penalties, there are speculations that Rashford could face fines, potentially up to £650,000, equivalent to two weeks’ wages.
The official statement from Manchester United reads, “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
Rashford’s History of Off-Field Incidents
This is not the first time Marcus Rashford has faced criticism for his off-field behaviour. In October of the previous year, Ten Hag labelled Rashford’s post-match celebrations at a nightclub after a defeat to Manchester City as “unacceptable.” The player apologized, and the incident was treated as an internal matter. The recurrence of such incidents raises questions about Rashford’s commitment and respect for his teammates and the management.
Ten Hag, addressing Rashford’s behaviour in October, said, “I spoke with him about it. It’s unacceptable. He apologized, and that is it. For us, it’s an internal matter.”
Impact of Rashford’s Actions on Team
Teammates are said to be discontent with Marcus Rashford’s actions, especially given the crucial nature of the FA Cup match against Newport County. The alleged deception of being too ill to train, followed by revelations of a night out, has reportedly strained relations within the squad. The episode has led to discussions about Rashford’s perceived lack of discipline and its potential impact on team morale.
A source revealed, “The players were told he was too ill to train, and then it came out that he’d been in the nightclub. They couldn’t believe that he would do that given the situation the club is in.”
The case on this matter is closed! Recently, Erik Ten Hag said, “Erik ten Hag on Marcus Rashford: “Ha. So he has taken responsibility, and for the rest, it’s an internal matter. Case closed.”
