Marcus Rashford could be in for another controversial season with Manchester United in the upcoming 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
With United preparing to turn a corner away from their disappointing 2023-24 Premier League season, Rashford is already in the headlines again for an off-field misdemeanour and it has plunged him into trouble.
As ruled by a Magistrate Court sitting in Manchester, Rashford will not drive again for the next six months. He has been slammed with a ban from driving, including a fine.
The verdict followed his road blunder back on December 2, 2023, during the festive period when Manchester United were bracing for intense Premier League action before the turn of the new year.
As shared by The Sun, Marcus Rashford flouted driving rules, speeding past a cop with his £560,000-worth Rolls Royce Cullinan Blue Shadow.
The cop, later identified as DC Maskrey, who testified against Rashford in court, said the 26-year-old drove at an incredibly high speed, estimated to be around 104mph. To track him, Maskrey said he quickly sped up to catch up with the footballer but could not do so because he was traveling at an ‘insane speed’ with his Cullinan.
However, the cop further stated he was later close to the footballer but could not still get him down easily because he (Rashford), apparently aware he was being tracked, changed direction fast, and further increased his speed.
“I tried to catch up with him and was close but he negotiated a quick bend and increased his travel speed,” Maskrey said.
However, Maskrey further disclosed that the Man United forward finally slowed down and stopped when he (Maskrey) flashed his emergency lights on finally getting close to him. When he pulled off the motorway, he told the cop that he was speeding before some unrecognized vehicles were following him.
Maskrey then told him to call the police emergency number, 999, if he sensed surreptitious moves or security threats but the footballer dismissed the advice. According to him, he is always followed all the time and would be calling the number every day. So, his smart move has always been to speed off.
However, his excuses weren’t enough to save him from the sledgehammer of justice. The footballer reportedly attended the court hearing online from the comfort of his Cheshire home.
Reading out the judgment, District Judge, Lucy Hogarth, slammed the Man United forward with a £1,666 fine, including a £666 surcharge, with £120 as legal costs. He is also barred from driving for six months.
The penalty is coming amidst Rashford’s dwindling fortunes at Manchester United and the England national team. The Three Lions forward hit the lowest points of his career with Man United last season, managing 7 goals with 2 assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
His slack in form saw him dropped from Gareth Southgate’s England Euro 2024 squad. It was the first time he missed a major international tournament with the team since his debut in 2016.
With preparations for the next campaign gathering momentum, the player will hope to weather the recent bumpy ride and return to elite-level performance for Manchester United.
