I left Chelsea training and travelled 450 miles to see my favourite band in France – I can’t criticise Marcus Rashford

FORMER Chelsea winger Pat Nevin refused to criticise Marcus Rashford after his Belfast bender.

Nevin, 60, recalled the time he left Blues training and travelled hundreds of miles away to see his favourite French band.

GettyPat Nevin has somewhat defended Marcus Rashford[/caption]

GettyRashford was axed from Manchester United’s squad ahead of their FA Cup tie at Newport[/caption]

Rashford, 26, was disciplined after missing Friday’s training session following a 12-hour night out in Northern Ireland’s capital and was axed from Erik ten Hag’s squad for their 4-2 FA Cup victory over Newport.

A club statement has since confirmed Rashford has “taken responsibility” for his actions and that they consider the matter to be “closed”.

And now Nevin – who ditched from his column writing role at Chelsea – has had his say on the saga.

He wrote for BBC Sport: “I feel unqualified to have a go at Marcus. I once popped over to Heathrow one Tuesday after training for Chelsea.

“I flew to Paris on a cheap standby ticket and got the train another 200 miles south to Bourges to see my then favourite band – The Cocteau Twins.

“I stayed over, got the red eye back in time for training and the team manager was none the wiser.”

Ten Hag offered clarity at Wednesday’s press conference after the The Sun exclusively revealed the extent of the striker’s time away.

The United boss said: “So he has taken responsibility and for the rest it’s an internal matter. Case closed.”

The Dutchman also hit back at claims there is a lack of discipline in the squad.

He said: “Nothing to do with that with me. But in football, you need discipline and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch.”