Rio Ferdinand reveals the real reason behind Marcus Rashford’s goal celebration is ‘MENTALITY’

Rio Ferdinand has revealed the real reason behind Marcus Rashford’s trademark celebration is ‘mentality’ after quizzing the Manchester United forward during a visit to Carrington.

The England star has been in the most prolific form of his career, having notched 24 goals already this season, 17 of those being in the last 18 games since returning from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Rashford has simply pointed to his head with his index finger while standing still to celebrate after of all of those goals.

The 25-year-old appears to have started a global trend with his celebration as big name stars such as Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, tennis star Novak Djokovic and England cricketer Jofra Archer have also been seen using the celebration.

United legend Ferdinand returned to the club’s Carrington training ground this week and on his visit he found out the real reason behind Rashford’s celebrations, which everyone assumed was due to his issues with mental health.

Ferdinand said on his podcast VIBE with FIVE: ‘Rashford, I found out today by the way, I went to Carrington today to interview Bruno [Fernandes], it was good.

‘I saw [long-serving receptionist] Kath [Phipps], been there 56 years the lady! Ridiculous!

‘But the celebration, it’s mentality. Nice, innit. Simple. But it’s just travelled massively.

‘Everyone around the world is doing it now. All the young kids scoring goals, that’s the impact Rashford has had.’

Ferdinand’s comments have dismissed such talk of Rashford’s celebration being purely down to struggling with his mental health last season.

Rashford revealed his struggles back in October, by saying: ‘It’s a complete different energy around the club and the training ground.

‘That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in.

‘I was struggling at times with more mental things. It wasn’t really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That’s the biggest difference from last season.

‘Too often last season, I wasn’t in the right headspace for games. I wasn’t surprised by some of the stuff that was happening.’

Rashford will be hoping he can use his trademark celebration on plenty more occasions this season, as United remain in the battle to finish in the top four with the distant hopes of still trying to chase down the top two Arsenal and Manchester City.

Prior to that, the Red Devils have an opportunity to win their first piece of silverware under Erik ten Hag when they take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Sunday afternoon.

It is then a second-leg tie with Spanish giants Barcelona in the Europa League after drawing 2-2 in the first-leg at the Nou Camp.  

United will be hoping to see Rashford’s celebrations a few more times at least in those vital matches.