Why Manchester United fans are divided over Marcus Rashford

“If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”

Marcus Rashford has talked the talk this season, but he has not walked the walk.

It is almost two months since the 26-year-old hit back at critics and promised that Manchester United fans would soon see a huge improvement from the team. That has not happened, and if anything, they have managed to get even worse.

As Erik ten Hag is eager to remind everyone, they have reached the FA Cup Final for the second year in succession, but it is set to be a season of failure, with the repercussion being Thursday night football next season. Rashford is not solely to blame for that, but he is certainly one of the poster boys for their current struggles.

The England international had every right to hit back at recent criticism of him this week, which he believes is bordering into abuse. It is true that pressure is a privilege, but no matter what lifestyle someone lives, there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Rashford is well within his right to speak out if he feels things have gone too far.

Yet it is possible to feel compassion for Rashford and the huge scrutiny on him, perhaps more so than any other United player given the fact he has been at the club for so long and is also a homegrown player, while at the same time being able to criticise him as well.

When supporters question the 'standards' of the club, you expect those pillars of integrity to be possessed strongest by those who have come through the club's illustrious academy and been brought up on the rich-history of the badge. There have been moments this season in which he hasn't done that. You can point towards the ill-timed birthday celebrations hours after the Manchester derby defeat to Man City, or his night out in Belfast, hours before reporting himself as too ill to attend training.

Then there are also the performances on the pitch. Rashford's body language has often been a problem, with the forward often looking disenchanted, while he has faced plenty of criticism for a sheer lack of work rate. That is probably what hurts match going fans the most. For all the off field drama, many supporters will draw the line at a perceived lack of effort on the pitch. Rashford's drop in form this season has been amplified by a perception that he has been disinterested at times.

Ultimately, a lot of it comes back to goals. Rashford hit a world-class level with 30 in all competitions last season and was singlehandedly dragging them through matches on a regular basis. For some fans, a player can almost do whatever they like as long as they are putting the ball into the back of the net at the weekend.

Rashford scored in three successive games following those quotes two months ago, but his tally still stands at just eight goals in 40 appearances so far this season. It is most frustrating given we all know just how talented he is.

Away from the pitch, for many he is still the national treasure who stood up for the vulnerable at their time of need and forced governmental U-turns when they threatened to axe free school meals. It wasn't something he had to do, but he did it because he cared.

It might not be relevant to his recent form on the football pitch, but it is a reminder of the individual we are dealing with. His social media comments this week emphasise that behind the superstar striker is a local lad from Wythenshawe, who for all the fame and fortune, has the same emotions and feelings as those criticising him the most.

Rashford is right to call out anything he feels has gone too far, but for many fans his performances haven't gone far enough. There are still many who doubt him.