Rio Ferdinand fears Marcus Rashford will need to leave Man Utd as he warns struggling star has brutal decision to make

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand fired a stern warning to Marcus Rashford amid his struggles this season.

Rashford, 26, has put together a series of hapless performances for United with only eight goals and six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this term.

Rio Ferdinand claims Marcus Rashford may have to leave Manchester UnitedYouTube/ THE OVERLAP

Ferdinand claims Rashford will have to get rid of ‘external people’ that may be ‘enabling’ himGetty

That is a far cry from last season’s staggering total of 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 matches that saw the forward turning into Erik ten Hag‘s main man.

However, the England international has failed to extend his goalscoring exploits and Ferdinand insists he has reached a “pivotal moment” that may lead to him having to leave Old Trafford.

The United legend is adamant Rashford will have to make a “big decision” to either save his future with the Red Devils or his career in general.

The former defender suggests the winger is dealing with the wrong influence from “external people” around him that may enable him.

And the ex-England international insists he will have to get rid of those individuals and decide whether he wants to stay at United or try his luck elsewhere.

Ferdinand told the Stick to Football podcast via Sky Bet: “It’s a pivotal moment in his career now. He’s not a kid anymore. A lot of people look at potential and talent.

“He’s 26 – what were you [the panel] doing at 26? We were still making mistakes, don’t get me wrong, but on the football pitch you had it locked down, you knew what you were doing, you knew what you were about, who you were.

“There’s a big decision to make for him. From him, he’s got to look at who is around him.

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“I know his family play a big part with him, which is great, but who are the external people around that?

“Are they the right people, are they enabling him to make excuses for himself behind closed doors, or are they saying, ‘Look at yourself, and be accountable for what you are doing’? He needs to look at that and own that and make big decisions.

“When I joined Leeds United, I could’ve gone to Chelsea, and they were probably the club I preferred to go to at the time.

“The reason I left [West Ham] to go to Leeds was because it was out of London, and the external people around me, I needed to get away from.

“He’ll need to either decide to get rid of them and stay in Manchester or leave Manchester and get rid of those people.

“It might be an accumulation of different things, but that could be a big part because the people around you do have a big influence on how you are – especially accountability.”