Troy Deeney: Marcus Rashford is 2024’s biggest disappointment – and it’s time for Arsenal star to call it a day
Marcus Rashford is a baby who is the biggest underperformer in 2024. That’s the view of ex-Watford star Troy Deeney, who has also labelled Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus as ‘stinky’ following a disappointing year so far. Manchester United forward Rashford has struggled for consistency in 2024Getty With 2024 coming to a close, a number of high-profile stars have flattered to deceive – which could lead to their possible departures in the New Year. Rashford is one player that is facing an uncertain future following his omission from Manchester United’s squad for their derby victory over rivals Manchester City. The 27-year-old is a player that has come under fire from Deeney this month, who has claimed the forward could be forced to retire by the time he’s 30. It was only two seasons ago that Rashford fired in 30 goals in all competitions – but he has only managed 15 in the following two terms. He has found the back of the net just eight times in the Premier League this calendar year with the two-time FA Cup winner in danger of failing to live up to his potential. Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Deeney was asked who his biggest flop of the year has been. To which he said: “Who’s been a flop for me? “It sounds like I’m piling on and I don’t mean to, but you probably have to say Marcus. “Marcus has probably been the biggest disappointment this year. “Flop’s a hard word, but I mean disappointment in terms of expectation and what we think he can deliver. England international Rashford has been directly involved in just ten Premier League goals this year Deeney has named Rashford as his biggest underperformer of 2024talkSPORT “We probably have to say Marcus over the course of January until now.” Deeney then went on to criticise Rashford’s attitude, as he explained what he meant by when he labelled the England international as a ‘baby’ following his appearance off the bench in United’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier this month. He remarked: “What I’m on about with ‘baby’ is the attitude, he didn’t start against Arsenal, so he thinks he should start. “So to prove to people that you should start, he’s just going to walk around, how does that logic work? “That’s what a baby does, that’s what my kids do when they don’t get what they want, they sulk and scream and cry. “And he decided he was going to walk around and try and hit 70-yard diags [diagonal passes] off the pitch, but that’s the manager’s fault I suppose? Rashford has found himself in and out of the starting XI this seasonGetty “I just think he’s highly talented, had all of the opportunity in the world and at some point it’s got to be his fault, and not somebody else’s, that’s what I think.” Deeney then discussed Gunners forward Jesus, who has scored just one Premier League goal in 2024 – which came away at Nottingham Forest in January. On the Brazilian, he remarked: “Gabi’s been stinky, he’s been stinky for a little while. He’s a good footballer that doesn’t like scoring goals.” It was only last season that Jesus admitted himself that ‘scoring goals is not my strong point’. Addressing Jesus’ own view of himself, Deeney stated: “Personally, when you start telling people that, it’s time to call it a day. “I’m not sure why he thought that was clever.” Arsenal striker Jesus hasn’t scored in the Premier League since January Jesus’ lack of goals have seen him start just twice in the top-flight this campaign with Kai Havertz preferred instead by Mikel Arteta to lead Arsenal’s line. His poor form has seen him branded as ‘erratic’ by ex-Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino, with Jesus told he’s only getting worse. Tied down at the Emirates until 2027, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will look to move him on in the near future.
Marcus Rashford is a baby who is the biggest underperformer in 2024.
That’s the view of ex-Watford star Troy Deeney, who has also labelled Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus as ‘stinky’ following a disappointing year so far.
With 2024 coming to a close, a number of high-profile stars have flattered to deceive – which could lead to their possible departures in the New Year.
Rashford is one player that is facing an uncertain future following his omission from Manchester United’s squad for their derby victory over rivals Manchester City.
The 27-year-old is a player that has come under fire from Deeney this month, who has claimed the forward could be forced to retire by the time he’s 30.
It was only two seasons ago that Rashford fired in 30 goals in all competitions – but he has only managed 15 in the following two terms.
He has found the back of the net just eight times in the Premier League this calendar year with the two-time FA Cup winner in danger of failing to live up to his potential.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Deeney was asked who his biggest flop of the year has been.
To which he said: “Who’s been a flop for me?
“It sounds like I’m piling on and I don’t mean to, but you probably have to say Marcus.
“Marcus has probably been the biggest disappointment this year.
“Flop’s a hard word, but I mean disappointment in terms of expectation and what we think he can deliver.
“We probably have to say Marcus over the course of January until now.”
Deeney then went on to criticise Rashford’s attitude, as he explained what he meant by when he labelled the England international as a ‘baby’ following his appearance off the bench in United’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier this month.
He remarked: “What I’m on about with ‘baby’ is the attitude, he didn’t start against Arsenal, so he thinks he should start.
“So to prove to people that you should start, he’s just going to walk around, how does that logic work?
“That’s what a baby does, that’s what my kids do when they don’t get what they want, they sulk and scream and cry.
“And he decided he was going to walk around and try and hit 70-yard diags [diagonal passes] off the pitch, but that’s the manager’s fault I suppose?
“I just think he’s highly talented, had all of the opportunity in the world and at some point it’s got to be his fault, and not somebody else’s, that’s what I think.”
Deeney then discussed Gunners forward Jesus, who has scored just one Premier League goal in 2024 – which came away at Nottingham Forest in January.
On the Brazilian, he remarked: “Gabi’s been stinky, he’s been stinky for a little while. He’s a good footballer that doesn’t like scoring goals.”
It was only last season that Jesus admitted himself that ‘scoring goals is not my strong point’.
Addressing Jesus’ own view of himself, Deeney stated: “Personally, when you start telling people that, it’s time to call it a day.
“I’m not sure why he thought that was clever.”
Jesus’ lack of goals have seen him start just twice in the top-flight this campaign with Kai Havertz preferred instead by Mikel Arteta to lead Arsenal’s line.
His poor form has seen him branded as ‘erratic’ by ex-Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino, with Jesus told he’s only getting worse.
Tied down at the Emirates until 2027, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will look to move him on in the near future.
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