Fans criticise Marcus Rashford for most blatant dive of the season

Marcus Rashford was roundly criticised for his 'blatant dive,' as Manchester United could only draw with bottom of the Premier League Southampton.

It has mostly been an excellent season for Rashford, with some claims that he deserves to be in the conversation as the best in the world right now.

On Thursday night his form continued against Real Betis, as he made it look like the ball had decided not to feed underprivileged children, considering he broke the net with it as he scored.

It was his 26th goal of the campaign for United, also scoring three for England during the World Cup, already his best for the club despite only being March.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the 25-year-old was not able to help Erik ten Hag's side earn all three points, as they were held to a 0-0 draw.

It wasn't a good day all round for the Old Trafford side, with Casemiro sent off and set to miss four games and Alejandro Garnacho seen on crutches after full time.

However, it was Rashford who potentially suffered the biggest ignominy as he went from potential Ballon d'Or contestant to favourite for the Fallon d'Floor, the award for the biggest dive.

The United forward hit the deck in the penalty box, despite there not seeming to be any contact with Saints' goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Wat is bro doing 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JXBp6xAzL4

— invincibles ❁ (@Afc_invincibleG) March 12, 2023

 "Just look at this fraud, Rashford, and his disgraceful attempted dive. Why was him not booked? Pathetic!" said one fan.

"One of the worst attempts at a dive ever, disgraceful from Rashford," a second added, definitely not being a tad over the top with his analysis.

A paranoid third questioned, "Rashford pulling a fast one then. Imagine the media outrage if this was Mo Salah."

On the lack of outrage in a game that wasn't on television, a fourth noted, "Rashford is the media darling isn’t he. Not one person has condemned this."

"I don't know why players at the highest level do this embarrassing & shameful nonsense. You won't see Rashford posting an essay about this though," moaned a fifth.

And a sixth rounded it off, posting, "Honesty,this is absolutely embarrassing and pathetic from Rashford. Not even a blind man will get tricked by that dive."

However, despite that, some United fans felt that it was clearly a penalty, with Mark Goldbridge taking to Twitter to say, "Keeper's knee actually connects with Rashford....soft or not that's a pen. What's VAR for?"

And another added, "Why wasn’t the penalty on Rashford given? Was it offside? That was our corner and we all saw his foot get clipped."

Fans and players alike felt the Red Devils should have had another shout for a spot kick, when the ball appeared to strike Armel Bella-Kotchap on the arm in the penalty box, whilst he was on all fours.