Nigerian Lawmaker, Oseni, Condemns ‘Conspiracy’ Against Man Utd Striker, Rashford

A Nigerian Federal Lawmaker and ardent football enthusiast, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has strongly condemned what he described as a “deliberate conspiracy” against Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.

Oseni, a devoted fan of Shooting Stars FC, Ibadan, and Manchester United, expressed his concerns in an official statement through his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.

The lawmaker, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo state and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), criticised Manchester United’s treatment of Rashford, highlighting what he termed an orchestrated attempt to frustrate and undermine the player.

“The posture of Manchester United towards Rashford is a deliberate attempt to rubbish the glory this young man has built over the years”.

“If he has made any mistake, whether due to youthful exuberance, personal struggles, or any other reason, it should be understood as part of life’s journey.
“Everyone experiences highs and lows, but instead of supporting him, they have chosen to humiliate him”, Hon. Oseni stated.

Rashford, who has been with Manchester United since the age of seven and is currently the club’s 13th all-time highest goal scorer, has been excluded from the squad since mid-December.

Reports suggest that new manager, Ruben Amorim has deliberately excluded the 27-year-old striker due to concerns over his commitment, a decision the lawmaker believes is unjust and damaging to the player’s career.

The situation escalated last Sunday when Amorim reportedly declared that he would rather field his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, Jorge Vital, than recall Rashford to the squad.

Oseni further described this statement as unnecessary public humiliation of the player, who has given his best years to the club.

“It is evident that Rashford is being pushed out of the club, not because of poor performance but due to envy and internal politics. If they no longer want him, they should handle it professionally and help him secure a move to another club that will celebrate him, rather than destroying the young talent,” the lawmaker emphasised.

Oseni also noted that Rashford had played only a few matches under the new coach but still managed to score four goals in about three appearances before being frozen out. He argued that the decision to sideline the player was not based on merit but on ulterior motives.

“Rashford once said he was ready for a new challenge out of frustration. Anyone in his shoes would feel the same after facing such humiliation. Instead of supporting him, they are making things worse. But I strongly believe that all these provocations will eventually lead to his elevation,” he added.

The lawmaker urged Manchester United’s management to reconsider their approach, emphasising that Rashford deserves respect for his years of service to the club. He further prayed that the player would overcome these challenges and find a club that values his talent and contributions.

“Manchester United’s treatment of Marcus Rashford appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine his legacy despite his years of dedication to the club. Even if he made an error by expressing a desire to leave, the situation should have been handled privately rather than publicly humiliating him.

“The coach’s statement that he would rather play a 63-year-old goalkeeper than Rashford is not only disrespectful but also unnecessary provocation. Despite this, Rashford has shown remarkable patience, considering all he has contributed to the team during his prime.

“It is evident that his exclusion is not based on performance but on internal politics, possibly driven by envy over his salary. If Manchester United can no longer accommodate him, they should engage him professionally and facilitate a move to a club that will value him instead of trying to destroy his career.

“No matter the challenges he faces, they will ultimately lead to his elevation, and those attempting to bring him down will only contribute to his success in the long run”, Oseni concluded.