Marcus Rashford’s mum reveals what she believes is behind his problems at Man United after deaths of his cousin and close friend – but warns him of ‘people’s intentions around him’ after his 12-hour tequila bender

Marcus Rashford’s mother has opened up about her son’s recent struggles as she revealed the deaths of two people close to him ‘set him back a lot’, as she warned the star about ‘the intentions of people around him’ .

In a first-person piece published Monday, Melanie Maynard said her son was struggling to come to terms with the loss of his cousin Nathan last year, which followed the death of a “very close family friend,” Garf, in 2022.

Rashford has been criticized for his performances for Manchester United this season and was criticized for doing a 12-hour tequila bender in Belfast in January.

But Ms Maynard has defended Rashford, insisting the heartache he has suffered has contributed to his problems both on and off the pitch.

“The Queen awarded him an MBE for his work,” she wrote The times.

Maynard said her son was affected by the death of his cousin and close family friend

Rashford, 26, has been criticized for his behavior off the pitch and his performances on it

‘After all this, Marcus has worked hard to secure a new contract with his boyhood club. ‘He loves United. Marcus put in an incredible performance last season, with 30 goals and 11 assists, which warrants a new contract.

‘Then in November, Marcus lost a second very important person in his life: his cousin Nathan, after a very close family friend, Garf, had passed away a year earlier, which caused him much delay. It was a lot for someone so young to deal with.”

Rashford’s infamous night out in Belfast led to him missing United’s training and FA Cup tie in Newport. He was fined two weeks’ wages by the club – worth £650,000 – and his position as a senior member of the dressing room suffered.

The player had also tried to mislead United by claiming the drinking session had taken place 24 hours earlier.

And Mrs Maynard warned her son about the dangers of “the intentions of people around you” after his antics in Belfast, when he was said to have downed shots and cocktails before passing out fully clothed at 3am.

“Marcus is human, so he will have ups and downs in his life just like everyone else,” she added.

“Marcus is in a very good place, he will never let anyone down. But you should always be wary of the intentions of those around you; sometimes the people around you can be wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing.

‘After a good win against Liverpool on Sunday and Marcus’ England call-up, things are looking rosy again.’

Rashford dedicated his goal for United in the 3-0 win over Everton in November to his cousin. The England international was seen with his arms raised and looking towards the sky as he celebrated the goal, which came from the penalty spot.

‘Yesterday I would like to dedicate the cause to my recently deceased cousin. GBNF,” he wrote.

Rashford dedicated his goal against Everton at Goodison Park in November to his cousin

Rashford (centre) as a child with his mother, Mrs Maynard. He has two brothers: Dwaine Maynard (above, right) and Dane Rashford

Rashford has credited his mother Melanie with inspiring his efforts to combat child poverty

Rashford, who scored in United’s dramatic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, recently hit back at his critics in an article for The Players Tribune entitled: ‘Who I really am.’

“Listen, I’m not a perfect person,” Rashford wrote. “If I make a mistake, I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say I need to do better.

‘But if you ever question my commitment to Man United, then I have to say so.

“It’s like someone is questioning my entire identity and everything I stand for. I grew up here. I have been playing for this club since I was a boy. My family turned down life-changing money when I was a child so I could wear this badge.

‘Football can be a bubble. I’ve tried to remain a normal person, keep the same friends. I’ve tried my best not to change, even when I’m on a night out or on vacation.

The Man United and England star was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his fundraising efforts

Marcus Rashford is pictured after a World Cup match in Russia in 2018 with his mother Mel center left), brothers Dwaine (far left) and Dane (far right) and girlfriend Lucia Loi (center right)

Rashford scored in United’s dramatic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday

‘But there is also another side to it. I am a human being. I made mistakes that a lot of guys in their twenties make, and I tried to learn from them. But I have also made sacrifices that no one sees.

“What I want you to understand is that money doesn’t keep you playing through hard times. It’s the love of the game, plain and simple.’

Rashford also suggested that critics have turned their knives on him since he was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his work tackling child poverty.

“I think some of it goes back to the pandemic,” he added. “I was just trying to use my voice to make sure kids don’t go hungry because I know what it feels like.

‘For some reason that seemed to rub some people the wrong way. It seems like they waited for me to have a human moment so they could point the finger and say, “See? Do you see who he really is?’

Rashford led a successful campaign to expand the provision of free school meals for children during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

The Man United and England forward had convinced former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide free meals to vulnerable schoolchildren during the holidays.

Rashford’s efforts led to him being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors Roll that same year.

His campaign on the issue was influenced by the efforts of his mother Melanie, a single parent, to care for him and his four siblings.

‘He defeated Boris Johnson twice and free school meals were distributed everywhere. Once again, what a fantastic achievement,” she added in The Times article.

Rashford is known to be close to his mother and the two appeared on BBC Breakfast in 2020, when Mrs Maynard revealed she sometimes went without food to ensure her children could eat, despite working three jobs.

The United forward and food poverty campaigner joined his mother to talk about their experiences.

She said: ‘I was working three jobs and if I hadn’t done that we wouldn’t have been able to cook a pot of food, it’s just a bit difficult.

“So Marcus tells the story only from how he sees it, and the words he said come from the bottom of his heart.

‘Sometimes it was really bad. I would rather give the food to the children than to myself, sometimes I didn’t get anything to eat.’

Rashford has been linked with a move away from United this summer, with PSG said to be among the clubs interested in him.

Rashford has been warned by Gareth Southgate that he is not guaranteed a place in the England squad for this summer’s European Championship.

He signed a new five-year contract worth £325,000 per week in July, extending his stay at Old Trafford until 2028.

But his performances and attitude on the pitch this season have led to suggestions he could leave his boyhood club in the summer.

Rashford scored eight times and provided six assists in 35 appearances for United during a difficult season for the club.

Erik ten Hag’s side are sixth in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of the group, leaving the FA Cup their only chance of success.

His form led to England boss Gareth Southgate warning Rashford that he is not guaranteed a place in the Three Lions squad for the European Championship and faces a battle to secure his place on the plane to Germany.