Benni McCarthy Praises Marcus Rashford as "Pure Heart" During Tenure at Manchester United
Former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has lauded forward Marcus Rashford, describing him as "pure heart." McCarthy shared his thoughts on Rashford during his time at Old Trafford, where he joined Erik ten Hag's coaching staff in 2022 and contributed to the team's FA Cup victory before resigning after the season.
Rashford, who has been with United since the age of seven, burst onto the scene in 2016, making headlines by scoring twice in his European debut against FC Midtjylland, followed by two goals in his Premier League debut against Arsenal. Since then, he has made 413 appearances for the club, netting 135 goals and providing 71 assists. Despite his impressive statistics, his consistency on the pitch has often been questioned.
In his remarks, McCarthy emphasized the importance of being direct with Rashford, stating, "He’s pure heart and he’s Manchester United through and through." He noted that his straightforward approach—calling Rashford "Marcus" rather than "Rashy"—allowed him to build a respectful relationship with the player. "I was a straight shooter, and he probably didn’t have enough people in his life that are straight with him," McCarthy explained. "I was normal, and he appreciated that."
As Rashford continues to navigate his career, McCarthy's praise serves as a reminder of the potential and heart he brings to the Manchester United squad.