Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has addressed Marcus Rashford’s absence from their recent FA Cup victory at Newport, referring to it as an “internal matter.” The England forward missed training due to illness but reports emerged that he had been spotted at nightspots in Northern Ireland on two consecutive evenings. When questioned about the situation, Ten Hag maintained that it was an internal matter that he would handle.
Former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer expressed concern over Rashford’s behavior, stating that there must be an underlying issue either at home or with his relationship with the club. Shearer emphasized the importance of strong management to ensure that Rashford doesn’t waste his talent and regret his actions later in his career.
Rashford had an impressive season last year, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and signing a new contract with Manchester United. However, he has struggled this season, only managing four goals. His recent celebration after scoring against Tottenham was criticized by former United captain Roy Keane and ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Micah Richards, former England defender, highlighted the need for Rashford to understand the attention he receives as a public figure. Richards expressed disappointment that off-field issues were overshadowing the game and creating distractions for the team.
This is not the first time Ten Hag has faced off-field issues with his players this season. The situation surrounding Mason Greenwood’s future dominated the early weeks of the campaign, while Brazil winger Antony has been the subject of a police investigation regarding allegations of domestic abuse. Jadon Sancho’s omission from the squad against Arsenal led to a fallout and his subsequent loan move back to Borussia Dortmund.
It is worth noting that Ten Hag has previously disciplined Rashford, dropping him from the starting lineup in a previous EFL Cup defeat against Newcastle. The decision was made after Rashford was seen celebrating his birthday at a Manchester nightclub following a disappointing loss to Manchester City.
Rashford also faced consequences last season when he overslept and arrived late for a team meeting. He was placed on the substitutes’ bench for the Premier League game against Wolves but went on to score the winning goal after coming on as a substitute.
The recurring off-field issues surrounding Rashford raise concerns about his professionalism and commitment to the team. Ten Hag’s handling of these situations will be crucial in ensuring that Rashford reaches his full potential and avoids any future regrets.