Marcus Rashford needs an ‘old-fashioned kick up the a***’, claims Roy Keane… as Rio Ferdinand insists the Man United star has ‘big decisions to make’ to save his career

Roy Keane has hit out at Marcus Rashford, claiming all is not well with the Man United striker.

Rashford, 26, has scored 131 goals for United since joining the team as an 18-year-old in 2016, but after a stunning season last year he has struggled this time around.

The forward has scored just eight times in all competitions amid a struggle for form while also being marred by discipline problems.

Rashford was heavily criticized in November after heading to a nightclub following United’s 3-0 derby defeat to Man City, while he faced further criticism after calling in sick for training after starting a 12-hour ‘ tequila-fueled bender’ in Belfast in January.

Rashford’s dip has been accompanied by United’s wider problems under Erik ten Hag and comes at a time when he should be entering the prime years of his career.

Rashford has scored just eight goals this season while facing some disciplinary issues

Keane claimed Rashford needed to do more and said he needed a ‘good old fashioned kick in the ass’

And Keane, speaking about the Stick with the football podcastis sponsored by Sky betclaimed Rashford and those around him needed to do more.

“There are no doubts about his (Marcus Rashford) abilities,” he said. ‘He’s excellent, but there’s something wrong with him.

‘We’ve had these conversations every few months: a player may have an off spell or a dip, but he’s certainly not enjoying his football.

‘I wouldn’t say I’m worried about him, but when you look at him, something is wrong. The people around him, be it family or his manager, who deal with his business every day?

‘Who gives him a good old-fashioned kick in the butt and says, ‘Come on, we need more from you.’ If you want to be this leader, and you have big contracts, there is that responsibility.”

Keane further claimed that despite his problems, given his background at the club and his age, there is still plenty of time for Rashford to turn things around.

“I don’t think that’s happening, I don’t think anyone is involved in his case,” he added.

‘That doesn’t mean he can’t still produce and run a bit more. He’s been at the club for a long time, since he was a kid.’

Gary Neville echoed Keane’s thoughts and felt there was ‘something not right’ with Rashford at the moment, while Rio Ferdinand insisted the forward is entering a critical period regarding his football future.

Ferdinand said: ‘Now is a crucial moment in his (Marcus Rashford) career. He is no longer a child. Many people look at potential and talent.

“He’s 26. What did you (the panel) do when you were 26? We still made mistakes, don’t get me wrong, but on the football field everything was locked down, you knew what you were doing, you knew what you stood for, who you were.

‘A big decision has to be made for him. He needs to look at who is around him. I know his family plays a big role in him, which is great, but who are the external people around that?

‘Are they the right people, do they allow him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors, or do they say, ‘Look at yourself and be responsible for what you do’? He has to look at that, be aware of that and make big decisions.’

Ferdinand’s career saw him move from boyhood club West Ham to Leeds in 2000 for a British record transfer fee, before moving to United.

And the former defender expressed sympathy for Rashford’s position, but also felt he could face some big decisions, including one similar to his own.

Rashford has failed to match last season’s stunning 30-goal form

Rio Ferdinand stressed that the 26-year-old forward ‘must make big decisions’ to save his career

He added: “When I joined Leeds United I could have gone to Chelsea and that was probably the club I most wanted to go to at the time.

‘The reason I left West Ham to go to Leeds was because it was outside London and I needed to get away from the external people around me.

‘He will have to decide to get rid of them and stay in Manchester, or leave Manchester and get rid of those people.

‘It can be an accumulation of different things, but that can be a big part because the people around you do have a big influence on how you do – especially the responsibility.’

Keane, Neville and Ferdinand spoke at the Stick to football podcast, brought to you by Sky bet.