Richard Keys has claimed that the secret behind Marcus Rashford’s red-hot form is down to ‘stroppy self-centred superstar’ Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the club.
Since Ronaldo’s explosive departure from Old Trafford, Rashford has scored 16 goals in his last 17 matches. Keys believes that Ronaldo ‘suffocated the life out of players like Rashford’.
The 25-year-old has now scored 10 Premier League goals in as many games, including a brace against Leicester on Sunday which took his total for the season to a career-best 24 goals.
His former team-mate Ronaldo, who is now playing for Saudi side Al-Nassr, left United by mutual consent in November following a tumultuous end to his time at Old Trafford, in which he criticised the club, the manager and players in a staggering interview with Piers Morgan.
Now, writing in his personal blog, Keys has claimed that Ronaldo’s departure has proved to be influential to Rashford’s success.
Richard Keys has claimed that the secret behind Marcus Rashford’s red-hot form is down to ‘stroppy self-centred superstar’ Cristiano Ronaldo leaving
Rashford has been in sensational form since Ronaldo left, scoring 16 United goals in 17 games
‘If Ten Hag has done anything to help Rashford it was in getting rid of Ronaldo,’ he said.
‘Surely the debate about the stroppy self-centred superstar is now over? Yes – he got goals after re-signing for United but rarely were they significant goals.
‘He was a pain around the club and he suffocated the life out of players like Rashford.’
Keys went on to backup his opinion by stating that Rashford only scored eight goals in 19 games with Ronaldo starting, while he has burst to life since his departure.
‘I’ve always said the Premier League needs a strong United. They’re stirring. And that’s good news,’ he added.
Keys admitted in his blog that he was criticised by colleagues for previously pointing out Rashford’s struggles last season.
‘It was this blog that first pointed out his struggles on the pitch some 18 months ago. I got a fair bit of stick for it as well,’ he added.
‘Even a work colleague, whose opinions I value, said to me “I’m embarrassed about the way you’ve gone after Rashford”.
Keys claimed Ronaldo ‘suffocated the life out of players like Rashford’ during his second spell
‘I took on board what he was saying, but I hadn’t “gone after Rashford”. I simply pointed out that his numbers and goals had fallen off a cliff.’
Keys hailed Rashford as the most ‘lethal’ and ‘consistent’ striker in Europe, who is ‘blasting United into this title race’.
Rashford’s United are three points off Man City who are in second, while they trail league leaders Arsenal by give points, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
