The Importance of Discipline On and Off the Pitch: Insights from Ten Hag
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has emphasized the significance of discipline both on and off the football pitch. While addressing the media before his team’s Premier League trip to Wolves, ten Hag stated that footballers need to maintain discipline not only during games but also in their personal lives. He firmly believes that every player and professional understands the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
The recent situation involving Marcus Rashford serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline for footballers. Rashford fell ill and was unable to participate in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Newport after flying to Manchester from Northern Ireland. Although ten Hag did not comment directly on Rashford’s situation, he stressed the need for discipline among players.
This is not the first time Rashford has faced disciplinary issues under ten Hag’s management. Last season, he was dropped from the team after oversleeping and missing a team meeting before a game against Wolves. In another instance, Rashford attended a pre-arranged birthday party shortly after United’s defeat to Manchester City, leading to an apology to ten Hag. The Sun also published allegations regarding Rashford’s behavior during nights out, which did not reflect well on the 26-year-old.
Ten Hag, however, denied that Rashford’s actions were disrespectful towards him personally. Instead, he chose to focus on the upcoming game and winning matches. He acknowledged that Rashford had taken responsibility for his actions and considered the matter closed.
Despite these off-field issues, Rashford has been in excellent form recently, contributing two goals and an assist in his last two Premier League games. Ten Hag expressed his desire to continue developing the strong connection between Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, highlighting the importance of maintaining this positive progress.
In conclusion, discipline is a crucial aspect of a footballer’s life, both on and off the pitch. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has emphasized the need for players to understand the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. While Marcus Rashford’s recent off-field issues have raised concerns, ten Hag remains focused on the upcoming game and the team’s performance. The manager values the strong bond developing between Rashford and his teammates and hopes to continue this positive trajectory.