Marcus Rashford made a passionate statement in response to a video posted on social media showing him reacting to hecklers.
In the video, posted on Wednesday but filmed after Man United's exit at the hands of Atleti Madrid on Tuesday, Marcus Rashford is shown confronting a supporter.
The man who came on in the second half denied that he had raised his middle finger to the fans, and explained the words he used during the confrontation.
In his statement, he said that he is human and that the response was not down to his ego, but down to the fact that he was upset and disappointed.
A video can paint a thousand words and in this case lead to inaccurate info being shared on social media. Last night my emotion got the better of me after weeks of being heckled, threatened, and questioned.
I am a human being. It wears you down when you read and hear about yourself.
No one is more critical of my performance than me. The video lacks context. I had been abused from the moment I stepped outside the ground.
People were looking for a response from me. The phones were ready. I should have ignored it and walked past.
I want to clarify a couple of things. The first being what I said to the man throwing abuse at me, which was to come over here and say it to my face, and the second being the fact that I used my forefinger to direct the fan. I didn't gesture with my middle finger.
I am not entitled. This is not an ego. I am upset. I am disappointed. It was silly, but I was being human.
After a shoulder injury delayed his start to the season, he has struggled for form in recent months, scoring just two goals in the last seven games.
Reports emerged last week that Marcus Rashford would consider his future at the club after being benched for the derby against Manchester City, with his current deal due to expire in 2023. The interim boss of the United said he had not heard anything to indicate that the attacker intended to hurt someone.
With the forward's place in the England squad under threat, there could be repercussions for his on-pitch problems.
Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett says that England will name a larger-than-normal squad on Thursday for their first two games of the World Cup in 2022.
Jadon Sancho is in line for a recall and there is doubt whether Marcus Rashford will be included on the list.
The analysis of the England squad can be found here.
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