I’ll try not to get in the trenches. What bothers me is not about expecting effort. I do to. It’s about going into full certainty on such a damning claim about the inner workings of someone you don’t actually know. I’ve seen enough football (and media) to know that you can’t really tell on a players movement on the pitch wether what’s going on inside is entitlement, self criticism, confusion, depression, misunderstanding, injuries or inner conflict. I’ve seen people being slated for arrogant lack of application only to see later they were attempting suicide in a state of depression and self hate (I’m not claiming this is Rashford’s issue!). It’s just very difficult to know.
What I, and probably some other posters as well, feel is disrespectful, is taking someone who is to begin with on the same side, who has done good things and incomprehensible things (on and off the pitch), and claim with certainty some very damning premise, ‘I know why he didn’t track back’ - and then measure out the damning consequences with the same disdainful certainty: ‘Get rid’
