Marcus Rashford may have been absent from Manchester United's win over Watford on Saturday, but that didn't stop him celebrating with a relaxing Sunday afternoon out with his girlfriend.
The 20-year-old, who was suspended for the 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, was pictured walking through the leafy Altrincham suburb of Hale with his partner Lucia Loi.
They were heading to the popular Italian eatery Piccolino, where they enjoyed lunch together as Rashford made the most of his afternoon off from training.
The restaurant has grown used to the stars of Manchester's two biggest clubs dropping in and recently hosted Rashford's team-mates Chris Smalling, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay.
It would have been the perfect way for Rashford to forget about a troublesome week in which is has found himself in the spotlight through no fault of his own. Indeed, it was Jamie Carragher's suggestion that he should leave Old Trafford that sparked a debate that angered Jose Mourinho.
The Sky Sports pundit, speaking after Rashford scored the winning goal for England against Switzerland last week, said the striker may have to switch clubs to reach his potential and suggested Everton as a possible destination.
Mourinho hit back in his press conference prior to the Watford match, coming armed with a ton of statistics that seemingly prove Rashford is getting the required amount of playing time.
'In the season 2016-17, Marcus Rashford played 32 Premier League matches and 11 Europa League matches including the final. Three in the FA Cup,' he said.
'He had 53 appearances. But if you want minutes, he played 3,068 minutes. If you divide that by 90 it is 34.2 matches of 90 minutes in 2016-17.
'In 2017-18 he played 35 Premier League matches, eight Champions League, five FA Cup — including the final — three League Cup and the Super Cup.
'He played a total of 52 matches with 2,676 minutes. Divide that by 90 minutes and it is 29.7 matches. So in all, 105 appearances, 5,744 minutes, 63.7 matches of 90 minutes — including five finals.'
Further backing up Mourinho's point, statistics compiled by Opta show Rashford has played 108 games since the Portuguese took charge in 2016. No other Manchester United player has featured more.
bioaityz
1
.he must be busy doing exercise to be best
cakiosz
1
It was necessary for him I thank them.[Chelsea]smart couple
wawirecollince
2
Let carragher speek of his Liverpool club not united
DGGaulle
4
All this ex footballers who spend time talking bulshit as pundit are crazy. Thank u mou for responding back.
Dakacelz
0
Mourinho should compare apples 🍎 with 🍏 apples. Compare Rashford with Sanchez and then see who has the most playing time. Then compare how many goals for each, Mourinho will get a big shock.
Promzy75
0
He is not a gentlemen.he couldn't help the lady carrying her hand bag.
Did she asked the lady to carry the handbag 😂
Zacbcku
1
why can't he comment about solanke who he rated high when they signed him from Chelsea but who doesn't even get 1 minute to play
Zacbcku
0
mourinho should stop minding those so called " pundits" or " legends". They should ask south gate to drop Kane for rashford then. They destroyed youngsters with their bad comments
adesinaalamu
3
Media, pundits and journalists are so crazy about United and I doubt if they can survive without writing or speaking about United. I United is the air they are breathing. They should stop creating issues where there is none
himdklotu
1
He is not a gentlemen.he couldn't help the lady carrying her hand bag.
adesinaalamu
0
Media, pundits and journalists are so crazy about United and I doubt if they can eat without writing or speaking about United. They should stop creating issues where there is none
Manymore1
0
So in tomorrows news Lukaku goes out for breakfast and Pogba goes out for supper. Are you gonna report when they go to toilet as well?
Pls ask them
zeoabilmyz
6
Rashford De Giant", make good use of your free time and prepare for UCL game against Young Boys F C .
Ghana2025326
2
I don't know why sky sport is keeping Jemie as one of their pundits after what he did during Liverpool's lost to United last season , his language is even embarrassing for viewers leaning English.
Zere8
0
not so match
Resklmosz
0
So in tomorrows news Lukaku goes out for breakfast and Pogba goes out for supper. Are you gonna report when they go to toilet as well?
smile!
Resklmosz
0
So in tomorrows news Lukaku goes out for breakfast and Pogba goes out for supper. Are you gonna report when they go to toilet as well?
shule!
Spram
2
So in tomorrows news Lukaku goes out for breakfast and Pogba goes out for supper. Are you gonna report when they go to toilet as well?
Jidbopyz
2
so wats dey point
jamesmasagazi
0
Respect "it doesn't matter"!!!
Bazcnrtz
1
So? What's the point to write article about that???
hahahahahah i don't know for all football oooo, d write bullshit all d time....
Ollybantin
0
at first glance i read her name lucio lol
same here bruv
Vodcekl
5
Statistics have proven Carragher to still harbor hatred for Man u while pretending to be concerned about Rashford's playing time .If you are a pundit forget about the the dislike you may have for the other teams so that you give unbiased comments for the benefit of both the viewers and listeners.
ggmu420
6
at first glance i read her name lucio lol
moore8
2
boy just enjoy it’s your time off for 3 weeks but make sure you better use them well because we shall need you fit ounce again
Sabyasachi23
6
So? What's the point to write article about that???
Gazu
8
What did they eat? 🤔