Six footballers who snapped at followers – from Cantona’s kung-fu to Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford’s season hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
Rashford, 26, is no longer Erik ten Hag’s main man, and on Wednesday evening he was limited to just a seven-minute cameo. However, it was a moment before the game that earned the English star headlines.
He’s not the only footballer to ever lose his cool with the crowd – in fact, he’s not the only Manchester United player to lash out. And Daily Star Sport looks at six players who have hit out at the crowd after Rashford had to pulled away by his teammates.
Marcus Rashford
As he was warming up before the Red Devils 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, Rashford’s teammate’s had to pull him away from the Old Trafford faithful.
It’s unclear what was said to Rashford, but footage on social media shows Christian Eriksen pulling him away. In the clip, Rashford can be seen going through his stretches before making a beeline towards the fan.
Rashford turns around to continue his warm-up, shouting something in the direction of the stands, before he’s yanked back by the Dane.
What do you think of Marcus Rashford’s argument with the fan? Let us know in the comments section
Eric Cantona
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Football’s ultimate snap – even after all these years it remains one of the Premier League’s most infamous moments.
With their eyes on a third successive Premier League triumph, the Red Devils travelled to Crystal Palace needing a win to send them to the summit. However, in the second half, Cantona was involved in a spat with Richard Shaw which resulted in him being sent off.
Cantona went to make his way down the tunnel, when he was taunted by one Palace fan. The Frenchman launched himself into the crowd, kung-fu style, earning himself 120 hours of community service. Ouch.
Craig Bellamy
Derby day’s are always tense and, back in 2010, United and Manchester City played out one of their most enthralling clashes of the modern era. Michael Owen’s 90th minute winner made sure the bragging rights stayed in the red half of the city.
And one United fan was over the moon with the winner, deciding to charge onto the pitch. Stewards scrambled to get the situation under control, but Bellamy got their first.
Bellamy slapped the fan – he was charged with improper conduct after an investigation from the FA.
Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra once managed to receive a red card before the game had even kicked off.
During a Europa League tie in the 17/18 season, Evra had travelled to Portugal with his Marseille side when he clashed with his own fans before kick-off. Evra was seen launching a high kick in the direction of one individual.
Local reports at the time suggested that Marseille fans have been unhappy with Evra’s recent form and crashed through barriers to confront the left-back.
Eric Dier
Another moment that will live long in the memory is the image of Eric Dier clambering up through the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Dier had jumped into the crowd to aid his brother, Patrick, who had confronted another fan hurling abuse at Dier. He later explained: “All that was going through my mind was that I must protect Patrick. In hindsight I feel even more responsible for his safety.
“He had gone to the game to support me, and had become upset by the personal abuse being yelled at me, and that had led him into this situation.” Dier was handed a four-match ban a £40,000 fine.
Michy Batshuayi
Ex-Chelsea man Michy Batshuayi channeled his inner Cantona earlier this season when a number of spectators ran onto the pitch during Fenerbahce’s win at Trabzonspor.
During the chaos Michy Batshuayi was seen launching a flying kick in the direction of one fan.
However, the most shocking scenes were reserved for former QPR and Blackpool player Bright Osayi-Samuel – who punched a pitch invader in the face and sent another flying to the turf.