Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
The fallout from Manchester United’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea has centred more on the nature of the loss rather than the result itself.
The Red Devils didn’t get going until the second half, and even then they couldn’t cancel out Eden Hazard’s early penalty.
Still not at 100%, Romelu Lukaku was benched, with Jose Mourinho giving Marcus Rashford a start up front. The English youngster flattered to deceive though, and was called ashore after 73 minutes of struggle.
Many were keen to laugh at the long-standing comparisons Rashford has had to the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Gabriel Jesus, citing his tumultuous season capped off with a Wembley shocker.
Others pointed the finger at Mourinho, with his style of play and public admonishing of Rashford after a recent loss to Brighton the culprits.
Tweets from United fans show worm is turning on Rashford. I hope the sensible ones realise that a young player’s game is shaped by confidence, and confidence is shaped by the manager. At least some of this has to be on Mourinho.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) May 19, 2018
Rashford really does need to escape from Mourinho. He’s been vandalised this season. Painful to watch that
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) May 19, 2018
>Mourinho has destroyed Rashford’s confidence
— Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) May 19, 2018
Alarming how hesitance has crept into Rashford’s game. He was so brilliantly instinctive when he first broke through at United
— Ryan Baldi (@RyanBaldiFW) May 19, 2018
Rashford needs to leave United for the sake of his career, he’s ruined
— Liam (@OfficialVizeh) May 19, 2018
Both managers on track to achieve their targets. FA Cup for Conte, destroying Rashford as a young footballer for Mourinho.
— P.I.M.P. (@PoznanInMyPants) May 19, 2018
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has been praised for his form, despite sustained game time being hard to come by. He replaced Jesse Lingard late on today, but wasn’t able to make inroads.
Far from being criticised himself, the blame for Martial’s situation, shrouded in rumour that he wants to leave Old Trafford, has been laid squarely at the feet of Mourinho.
Martial fallen off a cliff, Rashford fallen off a cliff, Pogba not even comparable to the Juve version, Sanchez signing a disaster, Lukaku scored more league goals at everton last season. This is your manager. The man who only gets a tune out of Marouane fellaini
— Sean (@SeanlfcD) May 19, 2018
Credit to Martial. Troubled Chelsea more than Sanchez since he came on and showing the kind of intent that's been lacking in recent months. And he can take a corner. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 19, 2018
If Lukaku doesn’t fancy it I’d get Martial on for Rashford. No wonder he wants to leave #MUFC
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) May 19, 2018
Martial needs to stick around and fight for his place. Mourinho won’t be here for long, so he needs to stomach and ride this wave now that the World Cup has passed him. The next manager will realise he’s the best U23 talent at the club instead of playing workhorses. #mufc
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) May 19, 2018
If the Manchester United board allow Mourinho to sell Martial then there is serious problems.
— Diego Martinez (@DiegoMSport) May 19, 2018
Anthony Martial did more in 20 minutes than Alexis Sánchez did in 90. Sad that I’ll never see him in a United shirt ever again. Unbelievable player.
— Ryan. ? (@Vintage_Utd) May 19, 2018
Martial has no future at United, and its not just about today. Wasted talent
— Matt Chapman ?⚪⚫ (@MattChapman180) May 19, 2018
We lost this match because of José Mourinho’s team selection, face the facts. Bailly and Martial should have started and now we end the season trophyless, Mourinho needs to have a look at himself.
— FergieTime™️ (@SSIIIIUUUU) May 19, 2018
Anthony Martial done more in twenty minutes than Pogba, Rashford & Sanchez combined. I don’t blame him in the slightest for wanting to leave the club while Mourinho is still there.
— Roy Keane (@RoyKeane__) May 19, 2018
The irony here is that only one of the duo will be playing at the World Cup next month. Rashford has been selected by England manager Gareth Southgate, while Martial was omitted from the French squad for the Moscow showpiece.
