Marcus Rashford camp unhappy with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over ‘prioritise football’ comments

Marcus Rashford's camp is dissatisfied with Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's recent remarks, in which he asked the striker to "prioritize his football."

After being sidelined since the summer after undergoing shoulder surgery, the striker made his first appearance of the season in Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Leicester City, scoring in the second half.

In recent years, Rashford has combined his football career with activism, lobbying against child poverty and causing two government U-turns on the issue of free school meals.

He also earned an honorary doctorate from The University of Manchester earlier this month at an Old Trafford ceremony, in addition to the MBE he received last year.

However, in the build-up to his return to action against Leicester, Solskjaer stated that he needs to 'prioritise his football and focus on football,' a statement that grabbed headlines and looked to imply that the United manager wanted his striker to cut down on his off-field duties.

Now According to The Athletic, people close to Rashford were offended by Solskjaer's statements and believe the 23-year-old is fully devoted to his football career.

Some have criticized Rashford's work, with one Conservative MP even advising him to "stick to football," and there was disappointment when Solskjaer expressed what appeared to be a similar view.

United, on the other hand, insists that the Norwegian coach meant no offense and that his statements were misunderstood.

Those close to Rashford also believe there was no need for Solskjaer to question his commitment and priorities, and that he has continued to exhibit his professionalism despite his off-field activism.

Rashford postponed shoulder surgery so he could play in the last games of United's season last year, and he has now returned to action six weeks ahead of plan, demonstrating his commitment.

While Rashford is said to have no grudges against Solskjaer, the incident has come at an inconvenient time for the under-fire United manager, whose team has only one point from the last nine games.

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