MARCUS RASHFORD’S mum has revealed the Manchester United star has been struggling after two bereavements in his life.

Rashford has had inconsistent form this season with eight goals in his 35 appearances.

Marcus Rashford with his mum Melanie Maynard

And the England international has found himself in hot water with disciplinary problems off the field.

His mum Melanie Maynard opened up on his son’s season in a column in The Times.

And Melanie – who worked three jobs to support Rashford and his four other siblings – revealed her son’s secret heartbreak.

She wrote: “Marcus lost a second very important person in his life: his cousin Nathan in November, after a very good family friend, Garf, had died a year earlier, which set him back a lot.

“It was a lot for someone so young to deal with. Marcus is United through and through from when he was younger.

“He always wanted to play football professionally at his boyhood club. He worked so hard.

“He always believed in ‘if you believe, you will achieve’. He’s had to sacrifice a lot to get to where he is today.”

Rashford, 26, in January was disciplined by United after phoning in sick for training despite going on a boozy night out in Belfast.

But he hit back in perfect style by scoring in his very next game, helping his side to a dramatic 4-3 win at Wolves.

Rashford’s performances has since improved also with two in his last two league matches and an all-important goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Melanie says her boy is on the up again but warned to beware of the “wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing”.

She said: “Marcus is human, so he will have ups and downs in his life like everyone else.

“Marcus is in a very good place, he will never let anyone down.

“But you always need to be wary of people’s intentions around you — sometimes people around you can be wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing

“After a good win against Liverpool on Sunday and Marcus’s England call-up, things are looking bright again.”

Rashford has seven Premier League goals so far this season

Rashford has hit a run of form againCredit: EPA