Marcus Rashford has taken to social media to defend himself against a story set to be published by The Spectator tomorrow. The magazine has written several disparaging articles about Rashford and the work he’s been doing over the past 18 months, which the Manchester United forward hasn’t spoken out publicly against, but it appears as though this latest piece is the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Just heard The Spectator are planning to run a story on me tomorrow about how I have benefitted commercially in the last 18 months. To clarify, I don’t need to partner with brands. I partner because I want to progress the work I do off the pitch and most of any fee I would receive contributes to that. Last summer, 1.3 million children had access to food support. Through my relationship with Burberry, children have a safe place to be after school where they will be fed. Following the November investment vulnerable children have safe places to go this summer holiday. And due to my relationship with Macmillan 80,000 children now have a book to call their own. Do I have a larger commercial appeal following the u-turns? I’m sure. But I’m also a Manchester United and England international footballer. Why has there always got to be a motive? Why can’t we just do the right thing? I actually enjoy reading bits from The Spectator now and again but this is just a none starter.

Last week, Rashford reportedly parted company with Roc Nation, the entertainment agency founded by Jay Z who we signed with a year ago. It is understood that he will continue to work with Kelly Hogarth though, the agency’s VP of Strategy and Communications who he has been closely working alongside already, but not with the company itself.