Man Utd accused of 'completely breaking' three players by former Premier League striker

Marcus Rashford is one of three players who have been ‘completely broken’ by Manchester United, according to former England striker Dean Ashton.

The Red Devils have endured another inconsistent season under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and current boss Ralf Rangnick and face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League with nine league games remaining.

United beat top-four rivals Tottenham 3-2 at Old Trafford on Saturday but fourth-placed Arsenal are still one point ahead of Rangnick’s side with three games in hand.

Rashford’s form has been a concern throughout the campaign and he struggled again in the victory over Spurs, finding himself replaced by United starlet Anthony Elanga with 25 minutes left to play.

Ex-West Ham, Norwich City and Crewe Alexandra striker Ashton was shocked by Rashford’s performance and claimed he was one of three players who United have ‘broken’.

‘Rashford, oh my word! I know I’ve seen it on television but when you see it live, I could not believe the player I was watching,’ Ashton told talkSPORT.

‘Shattered confidence, lack of interest, this is meant to be the club he’s grown up loving. He’s supposed to represent the supporters from Manchester and what it means to play for Manchester United.

‘There just wasn’t any of that there. I think he needs taking right out of the way, out of the squad completely. There’s obviously an issue there mentally because he just doesn’t look right at all.

‘I don’t think we should just single out Marcus Rashford. There are a few players in that side who are completely broken. Their confidence is broken.

‘Harry Maguire’s one of them. I don’t think he’s a bad player, I think he’s had very, very good games. But he is broken.

‘The pressure that’s on him