Cristiano Ronaldo missed the third penalty for United in the 2008 Champions League final. It happens.
Sure but Rolando was Rolando. Honestly don’t think England fans are half as annoyed as some United fans are this morning because we’ve seen this pattern develop of a player who for half the season has phoned it in whilst still walking around the pitch and trying flicks and moves that have seldom ever not look self-indulgent, trying to take a clever-dick penalty at such a crucial moment
This is the latest example of how his decision making at vital times is lacking. It’s the most high profile example and racial abuse for it is disgusting. It is though just the latest example
The more egregious examples we see week in week out but so many are blind to it because of his profile as a player who came through ranks
No blame for going to the Euros but maybe he should be mature enough to say to Ole in the season ‘I’m feeling my shoulder or my ankle’ and not make himself available every week if he’s not 100%. There’s a different between refusing to play and being sensible and knowing your own body. Rashford’s injuries only seem to matter after the fact when they’re used to deflect criticism of poor performance.
For me that’s another sign of his immaturity. If you tell your manager you’re fit and available if you’re not 100% you’re letting your team mates down. It’s no good looking back and using the “I’m injured that’s why I played badly” excuse. If you’re injured you shouldn’t be on the pitch.
No doubt in my mind he’s telling Ole and the team he’s fit to play. Physios and coaches can’t get inside a players body; at some point you need to take personal responsibility not play regardless and use any injury as an after-the-event thing.
Now back to pretending all criticism of him is because he missed a penalty