Marcus Rashford has shed light on why Erik ten hag took the decision to drop him from the team.
Manchester United managed to squeeze past Wolves 1-0 in the early kick-off today, with the Red Devils good value for all three points.
The game itself was a close affair, though it was United who created all the clear-cut chances. They just couldn’t take them…
Marcus Rashford’s absence was the pre-match talking point. He was dropped due to some internal disciplinary issues. Erik ten Hag chose to remain tight-lipped on what those issues were, though the player himself explained why he was dropped after the game.
Apparently, Rashford was late to a meeting due to sleeping in – something which Alejandro Garnacho did in pre-season. He too was dropped as a result.
Check out what Rashford had to say in full here:
“It’s the team rules + a mistake that can happen. Disappointed not to play but I understand the decision.” Rashford told BT Sport, per Laurie Whitwell.
“I’m happy we managed to win the game. I think we can draw a line under it + move on. I was a little bit late for a meeting, I slept in.”
It’s good to hear that Rashford understood why that decision was taken. If Ten Hag had allowed the player to get away with it, then others could have followed suit and started to step out of line. Fair play to the gaffer for getting on top of it early and ensuring it didn’t become a major problem.
Rashford responded in the perfect way, too. He was by far and away the best player on the pitch as soon as he stepped out there. That says an awful lot about his character and mentality.
I’m just delighted to see this sort of reaction from Rashford, who is arguably in the best form of his life.
Now, it’s down to United to do everything within their power to tie Rashford down to a new, long-term contract. I’d imagine he’s going to wait to see what new owners are in place before putting pen to paper, though it’s vital United get this deal done.
‘This is the right answer’ – Erik ten Hag hails Marcus Rashford’s response after being dropped for missing pre-match meeting
Rashford made it three goals in three games (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has hailed Marcus Rashford’s reaction after the Manchester United star was left out of the starting XI for disciplinary reasons against Wolves.
The England international was a shock omission from the starting team at Molineux on Saturday with ten Hag revealing he was left out for an ‘internal disciplinary’ issue.
Named among the subs, Rashford came off the bench at half-time to score a superb winner in the 1-0 win and extend his run to three goals in three games since the return of club football, having another chalked off in the final minutes of the game.
The 25-year-old later revealed his punishment was handed down after he was late to a pre-game meeting having overslept.
Speaking after the win, ten Hag drew a line under the matter, praising the forward’s response.
‘It is good,’ ten Hag told BT Sport of Rashford’s impact after the incident. ‘After the decision, he has come in, he was bright, he was lively, he scored the goal and that is the right reaction.’
Asked if that is now the end of the matter, ten Hag added: ‘Of course. Everybody has to match the rules and if you work like this, this is the right answer.’
Speaking after the game, Rashford explained he had accepted being reprimanded by Ten Hag and was eager to move on quickly.
‘Obviously, it’s the team rules and it’s a mistake that can happen,’ Rashford told BT Sport.
‘I’m obviously disappointed not to play [from the start] but I understand the decision, ultimately, I’m happy we managed to win the game anyway.
‘I think we can draw a line under it and move on.’
When asked for the specific reason why he was dropped, Rashford said: ‘I was a little bit late for a meeting. I slept in, overslept, it can happen.’
Victory for United moves them up to fourth place, leapfrogging Tottenham. Spurs are in action tomorrow at home to Aston Villa but will United will have a game in hand on Antonio Conte’s side heading into 2023.
Source: oldtraffordfaithful.com; metro.co.uk
