'You're a baby': Troy Deeney slams Marcus Rashford but insists he's perfect for Premier League rivals

Marcus Rashford showed he will “fight with the expectations” of Ruben Amorim during Manchester United's defeat to Arsenal.

That is the opinion of the former Premier League striker Troy Deeneywho worries that the former England star will regret not making the most of his talent in the coming years.

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Rashford has been on Man United's books since he was seven years old.

But now, aged 27, he is struggling to replicate the promising form he once showed, leading to him being linked with an exit.

Former WatfordEdit Striker Deeney joined talkSPORT Drive on Wednesday and believes Rashford has been allowed to underperform at Old Trafford.

Asked what he thinks has gone wrong for him, Deeney said: “Without being unpleasant, I think he has developed a superstar level which, because Man United have been so bad in recent years, has benefited from that.” .

“Of the contracts and the game, especially at the beginning of the season. I was playing and I was terrible.

“But he continued playing and they took away (Alejandro) Garnacho, (Amad) Diallo, whoever it was.

“I just think he's developed a superstar level when he probably hasn't earned it, if I'm totally honest with you.”

The Red Devils want to retain young stars Kobbie MainooAmad Diallo and Garnacho, but they are open to offers for virtually all other players to help stay on the right side of the PSR rules.

talkSPORT understands this includes England striker Rashford, who has previously been linked with Paris Saint Germain.

Being a local player, he would represent 100 percent of the club's profits.

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A deal of that magnitude is unlikely to be reached in January.

But the Red Devils are willing to consider selling their academy poster for £300,000-a-week after several months of poor performances and concerns over his off-field lifestyle.

When asked by presenter Andy Goldstein whether a player can become lazy and perhaps lose interest in a club if he has signed a new contract and is earning large amounts of money, Deeney said: “I don't think it's a question of whether he can become lazy.

“That's what you're letting him get away with. And I think, I said this a couple of weeks ago when the new coach came in, I think Marcus is going to struggle because of the level that's expected.

“And then obviously he scored consecutive games and against Arsenal “He dropped it.”

Rashford began the campaign in Erik ten Hag's starting XI but his minutes have dwindled since his sacking in October and the arrival of a new manager. Ruben Amorim.

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Despite scoring in Amorim's first game against Ipswich and then bagging a brace against Everton, Rashford was benched for the following 2-0 midweek defeat to Arsenal.

He then came on as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest Garnacho arrived at the minute of play and was about to equalize at the last moment, but his attempt was blocked and went out for a corner.

At the time of writing, Rashford has scored four goals and received one assist in the league in 15 games this season.

But Deeney says his attitude at the Emirates showed exactly why he has not been effective on the field.

“I was at the Arsenal game,” Deeney continued. “When he came in, there was no point in bringing him in. It was a shame when he came in.

“Walking, I tried to do a big jump, I kicked him off the field, and then when all the players came up to the fans to applaud, he was standing in the back, he was the first one off, and I just thought, you guys are a baby.

“You're a baby. What are you now? 27 years old? You're meant to be at the peak of your powers. Obviously, finances are already taken care of. Who are you as a person? What do you stand for?”

“And my concern, a genuine concern for Marcus, is that when this is all said and done, he'll regret not maxing it out because that's hard to live with.

“You know, for me personally, I had a good career, I did very well. But from where I come from, to where I got, I'm fine with that.

“I squeezed every part of the orange, do you know what I mean?”

When asked if it could be the people around him who are harming him, Deeney insisted the blame lay with Rashford.

“No, in the end everything falls on him,” he said. “And I'm just disappointed, because I think he could have been a world champion. I really do.”

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“I think he could have been someone who played regularly for England. He could have scored a lot of goals. He could have been an absolutely shining star for Man United for many years and become a club legend.

“And I think what's going to happen is it's going to tarnish that and ultimately end up like someone like Jesse Lingard. That was like, what if? What if he had put in the effort himself?

“I think he's also lost interest in the media.”

Rashford now has more than three years left on his current contract with Man United, but could leave the club he previously spent his entire career at.

Asked where he thinks the striker could end up, Deeney said: “Unfortunately, he would probably suit Spurs, because there are no expectations on Spurs.

“The players who go there aren't expected to win the league, are they?”