Marcus Rashford is a loveable player in a football scene where despicable athletes and cheaters are on the rise. The young Englishman gives off an aura of honesty and humility when he plays, and although the latter remains true, his sincerity has been brought under questioning.
On Sunday, the teenager was named in Manchester United’s starting eleven for their clash with Swansea, a must-win game for the Red Devils and their top four hopes. They faced relegation-threatened Swansea, but struggled to find the back of the net – until Rashford’s dive earned them a shot at breaking the deadlock.
The 19-year-old won the hosts a penalty on the stroke of half-time, with Wayne Rooney converting from the spot to make it 1-0. Replay off the alleged foul showed that Rashford dropped to the floor a little to easily.
A clever pass put the Englishman on goal, but had a defender and an onrushing Fabianski to beat. The forward then fell after the Swansea goalkeeper dropped to the floor to stop Rashford from rounding him. The Polish custodian pulled his hands back before making any contact with Marcus, but conceded a penalty nonetheless.
Although it remains unsure whether Rashford dove intentionally or fell anticipating a foul, Twitter showed no mercy. Tweets flooded in attacking the player for his antic. Here are the best tweets.
Marcus Rashford clearly making the most of Fabianski throwing himself to the ground. These English players
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 30, 2017
Rashford"went down easily"
— Nnamdi Obinwanne (@obisingledigit) April 30, 2017
Fabianski"shouldn't have done that"
The angle"makes it difficult for the ref"
Lines used when the English dive.
Next time Young and Rashford meet.. pic.twitter.com/91ARSv5IOh
— Football Digest (@FootyDigest) April 30, 2017
When Rashford dives vs when a foreign player dives. pic.twitter.com/JaaVnSZakX
— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) April 30, 2017
Here's the Rashford penalty incident...pic.twitter.com/8deL1C1HQp
— The Football Pools (@footballpools) April 30, 2017
Rashford is only 19 and has already picked up the basics of a United player. That's pretty impressive.
— Connor (@TikiTakaConnor) April 30, 2017
'Clever' from Marcus Rashford according to Robbie Savage. Costa or Suarez and it's a dive and he's a cheat. Sickening double-standards tbh.
— Mark Jepson (@markjepson) April 30, 2017
Never ever ever a penalty for Man Utd. Rashford dives. Not clever. Cheating. Feel sorry for Swansea who have been superb,,,
— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) April 30, 2017
Rashford at school #MUNSWA https://t.co/YmVWRfrH3O
— Football Tips (@footballtips) April 30, 2017
Blatant dive by Rashford, but hey he's English. Let's not talk about it again
— Livers Delivers (@Sir_Livers) April 30, 2017
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