Marcus Rashford has issued a statement in response to a viral video showing his interaction with fans after a match earlier this week.
The 24-year-old Wythenshawe-born footballer claims that there are “two sides to every story” and that “emotion got the better of me” during the moment when he was filmed after his Manchester United side were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the last 16 of the Champions League.
In the fan-recorded video, which has since gone viral on social media, footage appears to show Rashford walking past fans outside the ground, hearing something shouted at him, and then trying to head towards them before being ushered away by security.
Although what was said during the interaction is somewhat unclear, Rashford seems to make a gesture with his hand to the fans as he walks away.
Many have claimed Rashford stuck his middle finger up at the group of fans.
The day after the match and following the video of the interaction racking up tens of thousands of views online, many have not only taken to critiquing Rashford for his supposed actions during the clip, but also the level of his performance once he came onto the pitch in the second half, and questioning whether the footballer is in the right place both mentally and physically since returning from injury.
Rashford has scored just five times in this season after making his return from shoulder surgery in October, and has started only two of United’s last seven games in all competitions.
Now, he has had his say.
Taking to Twitter to issue a statement on the video, Rashford denied that he had raised his middle finger to the fans lined up outside Old Trafford, and clarified the words that he used during the confrontation.
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His statement read: “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 foot outside the ground, abuse not just aimed at my football.”
He added that he believed people were just “looking for a reaction from me,” and admits that he “should have walked straight passed and ignored it”.
“I want to clarify two things,” he continued.
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“The first being what I actually said to the man throwing abuse at me which was ‘come over here and say it to my face’, a fact security can back up. 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’m not entitled. This isn’t ego. I’m upset. I’m disappointed. And in that moment it was silly but I was being human.”
Featured Image – Instagram (@manchesterunited)
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Glossop North End are set to take on a team of Manchester United Legends
Danny Jones
Nearby non-league football club Glossop North End are preparing for what is set to be one of their biggest games in years as they prepare to take a team of Manchester United Legends.
Founded back in 1886, the centuries-old side has a rich sporting heritage from early amateur friendlies to playing in the North Cheshire League, the Lancashire, Manchester and Cheshire combination division to the North West Counties League (NWCL) today.
Based at The Asgard Engineering Stadium on Surrey Street in the Derbyshire town, North End – or ‘The Hillmen’, as they’re colloquially known – bring in loyal local crowds without fail every week but are set for an even bigger attendance than usual this summer.
Announced at the end of last month, Glossop will be facing up against a team of Man United Legends players for years gone by in an exciting exhibition match in just a few months’ time.
Glossop take on some familiar Manchester United faces this July.
In collaboration with the Glossop Heritage Trust, the ‘Peakites’ are set to welcome Red Devils of old on Saturday, 12 July for an unforgettable fixture.
Although the full squad of retired pros is yet to be confirmed, the likes of 1999 Treble-winners Wes Brown and David May, as well as former midfielder and one-time Premier League winner Luke Chadwick.
To make things even more interesting, the club also offered supporters the chance to sign up for the Legends team and play alongside the ex-footballer, with the application fee going directly back into the club on what is already going to be a big day in terms of funding.
It goes without saying that Glossop natives jumped at the opportunity and the limited places were snapped up in a heartbeat.
As for who the lucky four chosen players will be, we’ll just have to wait and see.
⚪️𝑺𝑶𝑳𝑫 𝑶𝑼𝑻⚪️ We can now officially announce that ALL 4 places on the Man Utd legends side for our game on Sat 12th July are now SOLD OUT ! Thankyou to everyone who has sent enquiries & purchased the places.
Charity and exhibition matches like these are always a big win for grassroots football, regardless of the result after the full-time whistle and with both North End and United fans set to grab tickets, it’s sure to be a sell-out day at Surrey Street.
With coverage from ITV Granada, it’ll be a memorable day for the area, no doubt about that – special occasions like this remind us of how important the beautiful game is to local communities.
Tickets for Glossop vs Man United Legends will be available from 1 March and it goes without saying they won’t be on sale for long, so if you fancy coming along to the game you best be quick about it.
Flying Tiger is opening a new Greater Manchester store next week
Thomas Melia
Popular variety store Flying Tiger is set to open a new Manchester location, and it’s arriving later this month.
The genius of Scandinavian couple and entrepreneurs, Lennart and Suzanne Lajboschitz, Flying Tiger opened its flagship store in Copenhagen back in 1995, and nowadays, this shop has everything you could possibly need – and some things you never knew you did.
Flying Tiger has become a staple on Manchester’s high street, thanks to its ability to keep up with the trends and constantly reinvent its products.
You can always trust the Danes to come up with an innovative concept, and ironically, this Danish brand is opening up right next to another new site, LEGO.
Flying Tiger is opening a new Greater Manchester store next week / Credit: The Manc Group
This impressive 1,500 sq ft shop will open in the Upper Peel Avenue area of the Trafford Centre, and its big launch couldn’t be happening on a more fitting day.
Opening on 14 February, more widely-known as Valentine’s Day, anyone who’s left their present shopping until the last minute is now in luck, as they can nip in and pick up a selection of bits and bobs for their special someone.
Anyone thinking of popping down on its grand launch day definitely should, as the first 200 customers to visit the shop will receive an exclusive goody bag filled with items from the latest collection.
Emily Sergeant -
17th March 2022 
