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      Blow to Jack Grealish as cops probing £1m raid on his mansion suspect overseas gang was involved and have ‘zero leads’

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      POLICE investigating a £1million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion suspect an overseas gang was involved.Cops have “zero leads” on the break-in at the footie star’s home despite exhaustive inquiries.
      Police suspect the £1 million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion was the work of an overseas gangCredit: Getty
      Jack’s fiancée Sasha Attwood was in at the time of the raid and raised the alarmCredit: Instagram
      And they are now increasingly convinced the burglary on December 27 — as he played for Man City but while relatives and his fiancée Sasha Attwood were at the property — was the work of a gang with foreign links.
      Reports have previously suggested it could have been an inside job.
      But a security source said: “The fact police have made so many inquiries locally, and come up with nothing, has made them think it is linked to a foreign gang.
      “That, of course, makes it much harder for them to be traced, especially if they have flown into the UK and then fled abroad.
      READ MORE JACK GREALISH
      “The talk among players and their security teams is it could be linked to a South American gang, who have been known to target homes of the wealthy here before.
      “It makes it seem increasingly unlikely it will be solved.
      “Jack will then become the latest in a long line of footballers who have had their properties raided with no one caught.”
      The raiders struck at the £5.6million Cheshire pad as Grealish, 28, played in City’s 3-1 win at Everton.
      Most read in Football
      Terrified Sasha, 27, heard movement upstairs and raised the alarm but the gang fled within minutes with watches and gems worth £1million.
      Footie stars have been plagued by raiders, amid fears that “away-day” gangs are jetting to the UK specifically to carry out burglaries.
      Last August two Chilean women who flew to Britain as “burglary tourists” and raided a businessman’s home were jailed.
      Cheshire Police confirmed they had made no arrests and inquiries continued. More

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      Split from sweetheart and losing love for the game… Marcus Rashford was a football superstar – so what happened?

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      MARCUS RASHFORD grew up watching his single mum Melanie work three jobs to support him, his brothers and sisters.Sometimes she would skip meals to ensure they had enough to eat, and the family needed free school dinners to make sure Marcus and his four siblings had at least one plate of hot food a day.
      Marcus Rashford has been beset by personal troubles on and off the pitch leading to him being axed last weekendCredit: Getty
      Rashford split from long-term lover Lucia Loi and fears women he meets are simply after his moneyCredit: Getty
      Rashford was awarded a MBE for his work campaigning for free school meals for childrenCredit: Rex
      Fast forward 20 years and, now earning £325,000 a week at Manchester United, he could be forgiven for thinking money would solve all the family’s problems.
      But instead the 26-year-old England striker has hit rock bottom.
      Earlier this week, Rashford faced a £650,000 club fine after finishing a 12-hour tequila-fuelled bender at 3am, despite being due in training just a few hours later.
      He rang in sick, claiming to be ill, which the club took at face value until social media footage showed he had been in a Belfast nightclub till the early hours.
      READ MORE MARCUS RASHFORD
      At a meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and United director of football John Murtough on Monday, Rashford is understood to have admitted to having lost some of his love for the game.
      In his personal life it seems he’s also struggling, and those problems are transferring onto the pitch.
      ‘Family rifts’
      A source told The Sun: “Marcus has always had a close inner circle.
      “His brothers are his agents and his advisers, but the truth is that there are cracks starting to appear.
      Most read in Football
      “He has massive sponsorship deals and a buy-to-let empire of houses, plus his earnings on the pitch, and that means he’s an extremely wealthy young man.
      “He’s in a unique position to make himself and his family financially secure for generations, but that’s not what’s happening.
      “There have been arguments and tensions over money in his camp for months, and it’s not getting any better.
      “Marcus is in the middle of it all feeling lost.
      “He doesn’t know who to trust and his confidence on and off the pitch has taken a dive.
      “His life’s become a mess and he’s at a loss as to how to make it better.”
      Rashford’s older brothers, Dwaine and Dane, act as his agents, business advisers and gatekeepers.
      They all live in the same leafy street in Wilmslow, Cheshire, along with mum Melanie.
      The opulent lifestyle is a far cry from the modest terraced home in Withington, Manchester, where Marcus spent his early childhood years.
      Marcus has been close to brothers Dwaine Maynard (left) Dane Rashford (right), but relations have strained recentlyCredit: Instagram
      The footie idol’s family relationships have been strained since Dane, 31, was arrested for domestic battery in Miami in October.
      Charges were dropped but the incident has left a lasting impact.
      Dwaine has put his house up for sale, believing his security was compromised after Dane’s address was published online by police in Miami as part of the charge, and Dane has been increasingly sidelined.
      Several sources have told The Sun that Dwaine, 40, and Marcus are barely on speaking terms, despite the siblings attending showdown talks with ten Hag together on Monday.
      Rashford still socialises with childhood friends, and once said of his inner circle: “It has always been small and always will be, because I feel like I work best in that environment. I trust them.”
      But some pals have abused that trust, with one using Marcus’ bank card to buy expensive items without his permission.
      Others have let him down simply by failing to question his decisions to go out partying, drinking and gambling.
      Another of Rashford’s anchors was school sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he split with last summer.
      Their on-off relationship is believed to be over for good after Rashford was snapped walking into a Miami hotel with a leggy model at 5am.
      Rashford was seen walking into a hotel last year in Miami with a model – signalling the end of his relationshipCredit: SPLASH NEWS AND PICTURES
      And last September, he pranged his £700,000 Rolls-Royce outside United’s Carrington training ground.
      It came after his school meals campaign to help feed Britain’s poorest kids during the holidays earned him an MBE.
      A source said of private turmoil: “Marcus has wardrobes full of designer clothes, watches and jewellery, but he met Lucia when he had nothing.
      “He knew she loved him for him, not his money.
      “Now he feels girls he meets are just interested in his bank balance.
      “He’s been earning a lot of money for a good few years now, but only really started flaunting it in recent times.
      “Part of that was because of his involvement in the free school meals campaign.
      “He was conscious people would criticise him for campaigning one day and being seen at the wheel of a Lamborghini the next.
      “But his campaign was never about Marcus using his money to end child food poverty. That’s impossible.
      “As he’s grown up, he has been encouraged by some advisers to enjoy his wealth, because he has worked hard for it.”
      Trying to provide for his extended family has also caused rifts.
      Rashford has a property empire encompassing at least a dozen homes he rents out, controlled by Melanie.
      Our source said: “Some of them are regular houses with regular tenants, but other, larger properties in the posh Cheshire suburbs have been designated for family.
      “Many of his family members grew up in modest homes in working class areas of Manchester, without much money.
      “Even if Marcus lets them live rent-free, they still don’t have the means to pay heating and electricity in a huge mansion.
      “Some kids in the extended Rashford family are still on free school meals, so it’s a massively complicated situation.
      “Marcus is doing his best to help people.”
      It is understood matters came to a head when Rashford did not attend the recent funeral of a relative, fearing that his presence would be too awkward as he would be approached and asked for money.
      Recognising the need for expert help, Rashford and his team have approached numerous PR agencies and financial advisers, but have yet to find the right match.
      These difficulties in his personal life have led to a crisis of confidence on the pitch.
      Rashford was spotted at a nightclub in Belfast last week, hours before he was due in trainingCredit:
      Earlier this season he was involved in a car crash close to United’s training groundCredit:
      Just six months ago — after bagging an incredible 30 goals in one season — United fought off interest from Paris Saint Germain to persuade Rashford to sign a five-year contract worth £84.5million.
      The Premier League star proudly said: “I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream.
      “That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every time I have the honour of wearing the shirt.”
      On his “relentless” determination to win more trophies, he added: “As a United fan all my life, I know the responsibility that comes with representing this badge.
      “I will give everything to help the team.”
      ‘Not pulling his weight’
      But a series of disinterested displays, netting just four goals this season, have seen the Old Trafford crowd start to get on his back for the first time since he burst onto the scene aged 18, scoring two goals in his February 2016 debut.
      A multi-million pound boot deal with Nike had to be delayed due to his poor form and his brother’s arrest, and Rashford has also seen a string of pals — Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams and Anthony Elanga — leave the club.
      He now finds himself regarded as a senior leader in the dressing room, but some reckon he is not pulling his weight and relationships with teammates are strained.
      A source said: “Marcus doesn’t seem happy in training or in games.
      “The team has been struggling and needs everyone pulling together.
      “Some of the players are frustrated because they know just how talented Marcus is.
      “They know they need him if they are going to win things.
      “And some feel like he doesn’t care as much anymore.”
      Can Rashford turn it around?
      Yes, believes one source.
      “Marcus is a really good guy.
      “He’s actually quite shy, not the outgoing extrovert that people believe from all the designer clothes and Rolls-Royces.
      “He’s achieved so much in his career so far and he’s only 26.
      “But he’s the kind of person who has to hit rock bottom before he can start to climb back up.
      “Like many players, he craves routine, people he can trust around him, stability and a cause he can support that connects him back to his roots.
      “He had all that once, and now it’s a case of building it back up.
      “He knows he needs to make changes in his life, but it’s up to him to do that.”
      Insiders last night revealed Marcus had been more focused in training this week and seemed intent on answering his critics on the pitch.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      On Thursday, four days after being dropped, it took him less than five minutes to score United’s opening goal against Wolves, helping his side to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory.
      Hopefully, for Rashford, the comeback starts here.
      Manchester United hope Rashford will rediscover his love for the game More

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      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after watching Netflix drama Narcos in lockdown

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      FOOTIE ace Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosThe Manchester United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last week.
      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosCredit: Getty
      The Man United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last weekCredit: The Sun
      Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast
      A waitress said he asked for tequila with his lunch
      And he brought out his own bottle for dinner.
      We can reveal he started buying the Mexican hard stuff during lockdown, as he watched the Netflix drama based on Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar
      A source said: “Marcus loved Narcos and would binge-watch it, like lots of people.
      Read More on Football
      “He saw episodes where they were drinking tequila and thought he’d give it a try so he began ordering on the internet.
      “He got a taste for it and started buying really expensive bottles, spending thousands having them imported from the US and Mexico.”
      Rashford’s favourite brands of tequila, made from the blue agave plant growing in the Mexican desert, include £50 to £80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron.
      He was dropped for Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport and fined two weeks’ wages of £650,000.
      Most read in Football
      But he was back for last night’s Prem match at Wolves and was soon on target, scoring after just four minutes.
      Warning by Gazza
      By Joe Morgan
      PAUL Gascoigne has warned Rashford to avoid the road he went down.Gazza, 56, battled with booze during his career.
      He said he was a fan of Marcus but “you can tell things are just not right for him right now”.
      He said: “I’d say to him, ‘Don’t make the same mistakes as me’. He may need the help of the players around him, the staff to bring him round.
      “Marcus is earning a fortune at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and everyone thinks you do not have a care in the world. But the ­pressure is not always easy.”

      Rashford started buying the Mexican hard stuff as he watched Narcos based on Colombian drug lord Pablo EscobarCredit: Netflix
      Rashford,’s favourite brands include £50-£80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron More

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      Wayne and Coleen Rooney set for fly-on-the-wall series covering highs & lows of Wagatha trial & Birmingham City sacking

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      WAYNE and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary featuring the couple’s domestic lives with their four sons.It comes after the success of Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series, which followed the life of the champion boxer and his family.
      Wayne and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary covering their lives with their four sonsCredit: Instagram
      The show on Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giantsCredit: Reuters
      Coleen’s Disney+ documentary on the Wagatha trial was a hitCredit: Disney+
      The show on former Manchester United and England legend Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giants.
      A TV insider said: “The couple have starred in documentaries for different streamers and the feedback from viewers was that they’re most intrigued by what life is like behind the doors of Chez Rooney.
      “Wayne and Coleen live in a sprawling £20million mansion in leafy Cheshire with six bedrooms, a wine cellar and accommodation on their 40-acre estate for 14 horses.
      “Then there’s the fact they’ll soon be navigating the minefield of having four lads aged five to 13 growing up with famous parents and the luxuries that come with that.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The source added Fury had shown “a sports star’s domestic life can be just as intriguing as a rock star or style icon”.
      Hit Disney+ documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story gave her side of the High Court libel clash with Rebekah Vardy.
      Amazon Prime Video’s Rooney, looking at his life and career, came out in 2022.
      Both were made by Lorton Productions, who recently said they were launching the third TV project with the couple.
      Most read in Football
      It was originally believed to focus on Wayne’s coaching career, but that seems less likely after Birmingham City fired him last month.
      Instead it could now follow eldest son Kai, 14, who is in Man United’s youth academy, and brothers Klay, ten, Kit, eight, and five-year-old Cass.
      A spokesman for the Rooneys declined to comment.
      Wayne enjoyed a glittering career as a player becoming Man Utd’s all-time top scorerCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series following his life and his family has been a huge successCredit: Courtesy of Netflix More

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      Marcus Rashford’s ‘party’ lifestyle ‘worried Man Utd staff as long ago as 2021’ – as Rooney reaches out to ex-team-mate

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      MANCHESTER United staff had worries about Marcus Rashford’s “party lifestyle” as long ago as autumn 2021, insiders claim.Concerns were raised about the star enjoying boozy nights out and holding rowdy house parties with pals.
      Wayne Rooney decided to get in touch with Marcus Rashford amid worries about his ‘party lifestyle’Credit: Getty
      Old Trafford bosses became concerned about worrying allegations regarding Rashford’s behaviourCredit: Getty
      Wayne Rooney, who had himself hit troubled patches in his career, decided to get in touch with his former team-mate.
      The Sun understands that Reds ­legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact.
      Their interventions came after Old Trafford bosses became concerned about a series of worrying allegations about England international Rashford’s behaviour.
      And The Sun told how Rashford went on a 12-hour bender in Belfast last week then rang in sick for training on Friday.
      READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
      He was dropped for Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
      He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough on Monday.
      The club said the matter was now closed and he would be considered for selection for the game against Wolves tomorrow.
      But earlier alarm bells included Rashford’s relationship with the fans — usually rock solid given his status as an academy graduate.
      Most read in Football
      They suffered when he clashed with a supporter at Old Trafford who criticised his performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
      He was alleged to have confronted the fan saying “Who the f**k do you think you are you silly c**t, come round the back and say it to my face”. He later denied it.
      Rooney, who like Rashford burst into the public eye as a teenager, was only too happy to help.
      A source said: “The club were alerted to some issues which ­concerned them. People around Marcus believed one solution could be to ask Wayne if he would be good enough to contact Marcus directly and offer support.
      “Wayne was only to happy to help. Marcus has always looked up to Wayne — he’s one of his idols — so he was really happy to hear from him.”
      Reds legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact with RashfordCredit: Getty
      Marcus Rashford’s turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi broke downCredit: Getty
      Rooney, who by that time had retired and was manager of Derby County, contacted Rashford by phone.
      He gave him words of encouragement and made clear he was available if Rashford ever needed to seek his advice.
      Rashford said in a 2023 interview with Gary Neville how grateful he was for Rooney’s support.
      He said: “I always think to myself like how can I help other players like ­certain players have helped me.
      “I feel like I’m in the right position and stuff to genuinely help them in the beginning of their careers. I’m trying to set them off in the right direction the same way that people like Wazza [Rooney], Carrars [Michael Carrick], Juan [Juan Mata] all set me off in the right direction.”
      But despite the support offered to Rashford, some have remained concerned that his love of nightlife has been adversely affecting his performance on the pitch.
      The 26-year-old has been spotted going into casinos, including Manchester’s 235 casino and Genting in the city’s Chinatown district.
      Rashford is understood to have started playing poker at home with some of his United team-mates and is said to have then begun to visit casinos to play in private VIP rooms, knocking back beers.
      Customers at one casino gathered by the door to try to see him. A source said: “Marcus loves playing poker and has been doing it for years. He might have a couple of bottles of beer — nothing crazy, but he didn’t used to so it wasn’t great.
      “When Marcus was challenged about it, he would always push back and say it wasn’t an issue.”
      Another source said: “Marcus loves the nightlife but the concern is that he’s been doing just too much of it. His house has been a party house.”
      More upset came when his turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 25, broke down.
      The couple met while pupils at Ashton-on-Mersey school while Rashford was a United scholar.
      A source said: “Lucia is great for Marcus because she’s a normal girl and knew him before all the money, the cars and the jewellery.
      “When you strip back his personality he isn’t the most confident around women and has the same insecurities most people have.”
      Marcus, right, with brothers Dane Rashford, left, and Dwaine Maynard, centreCredit: Instagram
      Rashford is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum MelanieCredit: PA
      Another issue which has weighed heavily on Rashford recently is supporting his extended family.
      He is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum Melanie.
      But those relationships have been put to the test following Dane’s arrest on suspicion of battery in October while on holiday in Miami with his partner.
      The police case was dropped but the fallout has seen Dwaine put his home up for sale and caused friction within the family.
      A source said: “Marcus loves all of his family dearly but it is draining for him.”
      Rashford has also bought properties for extended family members but that has added to his stress levels, as some have expected him to provide further for them.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The source added: “Marcus is really struggling. Anyone who cares for him needs to step up and start helping him, rather than expecting it to be the other way round.
      “He might be a wealthy footballer but he’s a young man who has lost his way. The sooner he finds it, the better.” More

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      Man Utd squad ‘tired of Marcus Rashford’s selfish behaviour’ and ‘distant’ star faces battle to win them back over

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      MARCUS Rashford faces an uphill battle to win over the Manchester United dressing room as his teammates have grown tired of his selfish behaviour.The academy graduate was previously regarded as one of the team’s leaders and was surrounded by pals including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Jadon Sancho, and Brandon Williams.
      Marcus Rashford’s Man United teammates have grown tired of his ‘selfish behaviour’Credit: Getty
      Manager Erik ten Hag held Rashford in such high regard that some within the dressing room believe the Dutchman was happy to let players who he feared were a bad influence on Rashford to leave.
      But despite being at the club since he was a boy, the 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loan.
      A source said: “When the manager first arrived he made a beeline for Marcus and made clear to him just how much he rated him.
      “He helped him get his form back and he put in a string of really good performances.”
      READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
      Last season Rashford bagged an incredible 30 goals in 56 appearances, but has just four to his name this season.
      And he has cut a miserable figure on far too many occasions, both in training and in games, driving some of his colleagues to despair.
      The source said: “Marcus no longer has the same lads around him and doesn’t get involved in the banter as much. He can be very moody in training and in games and just doesn’t seem happy. He doesn’t really hang around with any of the players anymore and seems distant.”
      Manager Erik ten Hag previously held Marcus Rashford in high regardCredit: AP
      The 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loanCredit: Getty
      He now faces a battle to win over his teammates again after two nights out clubbing in Belfast last week saw him ring in sick for training on Friday.
      Most read in Football
      He was dropped for the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
      He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting on Monday with manager ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough.
      The club said the matter was now closed and that he would be considered for selection for the club’s next game against Wolves on Thursday.
      Ten Hag is due to give a press conference tomorrow at noon.
      United were contacted for comment. More

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      Robbie Williams prepares bid to buy club he’s supported since a lad – with potential Wrexham-style TV deal in the works

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      ROBBIE Williams is preparing a shock bid to buy his beloved Port Vale football club.The former Take That star, 49, has been backed by a consortium to take over the League One side — with a potential lucrative TV spin-off.
      Robbie Williams was named as Port Vale’s president at the weekend and hinted at the behind-closed-doors talks
      Robbie has been backed by a consortium to take over the League One sideCredit: PA
      Robbie — who co-created the Soccer Aid charity football matches — was named as club president at the weekend and hinted at the behind-closed-doors talks as he posed in a team shirt, with the caption: “Up The Vale.”
      If it goes through, Robbie could land a lucrative streaming deal, similar to the Wrexham takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
      A source said: “It’s really early days, but Robbie’s been formally approached to see if he’s interested in fronting a bid. Port Vale remains one of his greatest loves, and it’s always been a dream to be more involved. He’s had a couple of meetings, and his backers are incredibly excited.
      “They feel Robbie would add the star quality, and make Port Vale a major player.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      “Seeing what Ryan and Rob have done with Wrexham — the increased footfall, merchandise sales and general profile build — is inspiring. Port Vale fans love Robbie and, on paper, it’s a match made in heaven.”
      Local lad Robbie played for his side at Vale Park in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, in a 2001 testimonial, and later helped design their shirts. He also founded his own US-based team in 2005 — Los Angeles Vale.
      Port Vale have never been in the top flight of English football. After being named president, Robbie posed in a club shirt and name-checked one of its stands.
      He said: “My life is bizarre and wonderful and has taken many turns and twists and to find myself from the Railway Paddock to be ‘El Presidente’ is pretty special. It feels as though I need to be doing more in and around this place.”
      Most read in Football
      Since actors Ryan and Rob completed their purchase of Wrexham in 2020, the Welsh club’s value has increased by more than 300 per cent.
      Their docu-series Welcome To Wrexham, charting the takeover, became a hit on Disney+.
      If he takes over, Robbie can call on advice from star pals Sir Elton John — ex-Watford chairman — and David Beckham, co-owner of US side Inter Miami.
      The Angels singer co-created the Soccer Aid charity football matchesCredit: Alpha Photo Press Agency More

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      Downing tequila, falling into bed fully clothed then calling in sick to Man Utd… inside Marcus Rashford’s 12-hour bender

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      MARCUS Rashford went on a 12-hour tequila bender before passing out at 3am, then called in sick hours later.The Manchester United striker, 26, was axed for last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing training following two days of boozing in Belfast.
      Marcus Rashford went on a 12-hour tequila bender before passing out at 3am, the ace in Northern Ireland before his bingeCredit: Twitter
      Marcus Rashford posed for picture with a restaurant worker on Thursday at 4:22pm
      Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast on Wednesday evening
      A waitress who joined the Manchester United ace on his booze bender told last night how he was “on a mission to get drunk”.
      She said the sloshed striker downed tequila shots and cocktails before collapsing on a hotel bed fully clothed just before 3am.
      Rashford had spent two days partying on a visit to Belfast to see a pal, and got a 7am private jet back to Manchester on Friday.
      But he then rang in sick for training and was later fined £650,000 — two weeks’ wages — and dropped from the FA Cup tie at Newport County last Sunday.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He was pictured yesterday morning arriving at training ahead of showdown talks with United bosses.
      Belfast waitress Sarah Adair, 30, told last night how she had served the footballer lunch before he invited her to party with him.
      She claimed they then had a “weird” night out which ended with her having to put him to bed after he drunkenly dropped huge wads of cash on the floor.
      Sarah said: “I’m not surprised he missed training the next day given how late he got to bed and how much he’d had to drink. He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
      Most read in Football
      The mum of one was working on Thursday afternoon when a two-man security team came in and asked for a discreet table for a “high-profile” VIP party.
      At first Sarah thought it could be a famous actor such as James Nesbitt or Jamie Dornan because the city is a hotbed for filming.
      When Rashford walked in, she did not recognise him and only realised he was a footballer when her United-mad manager told her.
      She said: “He was with two men and two women. One was clearly a friend and the other girl was French and very beautiful.
      “She seemed to be with Marcus because of how they interacted. She was touching his knee and he was touching her arm, but you could tell from the conversation they didn’t know each other that well. It was like he’d just met her.”
      Earlier Rashford had visited Larne FC after his footballer pal Ro-Shaun Williams signed for the Northern Irish club.
      As Sarah served the group, Rashford also told how he had visited the Dirty Onion bar and Lavery’s pub the night before after flying into the city.
      He ordered sea bass then asked her where was good to go out, adding: “You should come out with us and show us around.”
      Meanwhile, Sarah’s manager politely asked Rashford’s minders if he could have a picture with him, but they refused as he was on a “business trip”. They also declined Sarah’s request to sign an autograph for her uncle.
      Sarah said Rashford did not touch his food and was more interested in what tequila was on offer as he and his pals downed shots and drank cocktails.
      He eventually relented on his picture ban and posed for a snap, as long as Sarah’s manager allowed her to leave early so she could hook up with them later.
      Sarah said: “I thought he was joking. My boss agreed.”
      She went on: “I’ve never been out with a Premier League footballer before so I thought, ‘Why not?’. Little did I know how weird it would be.”
      Before leaving, Rashford asked Sarah if she knew of any nightclubs which would stay open later than the usual 3am closing time if he paid them enough cash.
      She said: “That made it clear to me that he had already made his mind up that he wasn’t going to training on Friday. He had no plans to go home that night.”
      Sarah finished her shift early at 5pm and went home before returning to the city centre at around 7pm.
      She messaged Rashford’s minder as arranged but was left sitting in a bar on her own for nearly three hours before a Mercedes van pulled up at 9.40pm, and a security guard collected her.
      She was asked to hand over her phone and not reveal who she was with or where she was going, although she was allowed to tell her mum.
      The taxi took Sarah to the Villa Italia restaurant where Rashford was with his entourage and two other local women who had also been invited out.
      Sarah said Rashford had booked out the top floor and brought his own Bluetooth speaker so he could play his favourite rap music.
      He was dressed all in white with a diamond-encrusted watch on each wrist along with six or seven silver diamond chains and two diamond rings. He also had two identical iPhones on the table.
      She said Rashford had also brought his own bottle of tequila. Sarah recalled: “I pulled up a chair and sat next to him and we all chatted.
      “Marcus was confident but also seemed a bit shy. It’s as though he doesn’t really know who he is. He gives out the vibe he thinks, ‘I’m a footballer, I’ve got loads of money and can do whatever I want’. His friends treated him like he was a god.”
      Sarah said Rashford ordered bruschetta but did not touch it as he does not like tomatoes with seeds in.
      She said the star, who was only eating bread, told her: “I’ve been drinking all day.”
      Sarah added: “They were still drinking tequila and passing around a bottle of Patron and he also ordered a round of limoncello. He was clearly on a mission to get drunk.”
      She said one of Rashford’s friends reminded him he had training in the morning, but the player said he wanted to go out.
      When one of the girls mentioned Thompson’s Garage nightclub as a place to visit, Rashford asked if they thought the DJ would let him play his own music.
      Once dinner was over, the group split into girls and boys and they travelled in separate cars to Thompson’s, where clubbers captured the moment Rashford arrived.
      The group then headed to a private area called The Attic and ordered yet more drinks. Rashford and the French girl are later said to have argued after she accused him of kissing another woman.
      Sarah Adair told how she had served the footballer lunch before he invited her to party with himCredit: Pacemaker
      The ace visited Lavery’s in BelfastCredit: Pacemaker
      This picture was posted online of Man Utd’s Rashford at Larne FC, on Thursday at 1:06pm
      The footie ace headed to a nightclub on Friday at 00:30am following an afternoon sessionCredit: Instagram
      ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
      WEDNESDAY JAN 24
      9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
      THURSDAY JAN 25
      1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
      FRIDAY JAN 26
      00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
      SUNDAY JAN 28
      Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
      MONDAY JAN 298.45am: Rashford arrives for training.

      Sarah told The Sun: “She said to me, ‘I’m so angry because he thinks he can do what he wants’.”
      Last night a source close to Rashford insisted the striker left the club at 1.15am.
      But Sarah says the group partied until shortly after 2am when Rashford’s pals and security decided the footballer was too drunk and needed to go to bed.
      As they all left, another clubber filmed Rashford leaving, with a minder heard saying to them: “You’re gonna get him in trouble.”
      The group then headed back to the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel where Rashford was staying in the £1,500-a-night residence suite.
      Sarah went up with others but his French companion could be heard shouting and trying to get in. Sarah claimed Rashford then gathered the woman’s belongings and dumped them outside, with security shepherding her away.
      She said: “I said to Marcus to go out and speak to her and he just said, ‘No, I don’t care’.
      “He was so drunk at this point that he picked up his own bag and dropped it and all this cash fell out. It was all £20 notes and big wads of it. I reckon there was between £8,000 and £10,000 cash.
      “Then he falls back into the wall and I have to kind of scoop him up and on to the bed. He was fully dressed and I reckon he just passed out like that. He didn’t even get under the covers.”
      One of Rashford’s pals told Sarah that she could sleep in another room, which she did, waking at 9.30am. She then messaged his minder and asked what time she needed to go.
      He told her that Rashford and his team had gone at 5am, and asked her if she had left anything in his room as they had not done “a sweep”.
      Sarah said last night that she was not surprised the footballer has since got into trouble, adding: “He was clearly on a mission to have a big night.
      “It’s not like it wasn’t planned from the start. I don’t know how he didn’t realise he would be caught out.
      “Everyone was taking pictures of him during the night out.” The source close to Rashford claimed the star returned to the hotel at 1.15am, did not drink cocktails and had less than £1,000 in cash.
      Yesterday Rashford and his agent brother Dwaine met with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough for showdown talks.
      A source added: “Marcus accepts his standards have fallen well short of what is expected.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Last night the club said: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
      Rashford walked towards the club door with his entourage on Friday at 00:31am
      Rashford’s pal put an arm around him as they entered the club on Friday at 00:32am
      Player was pictured inside the club on Friday at 00:55am as the session continued
      Rashford stayed in the Residence suiteCredit: Fitzwilliam Hotel
      Rashford arrived for showdown talks on Monday at 8:45amCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The striker was axed from last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing trainingCredit: Getty More