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31st Dec 2022

Erik ten Hag explains Marcus Rashford omission from Man United starting XI

Callum Boyle

Rashford has been dropped from Man United’s starting XI

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that Marcus Rashford has been dropped for disciplinary issues for their games against Wolves.

Rashford was in red-hot form on Tuesday night, scoring in their 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest, however he has been dropped and replaced by Alejandro Garnacho in the only change.

‘Marcus Rashford would be the first name in the team’

“No [details]. Our rules. Now focus on the game. He is in very good form and no-one can play all the games,” Ten Hag initially told BT Sport before revealing it was for “internal disciplinary” reasons.

The 25-year-old has 10 goals from 21 games this season and is the club’s top scorer with Anthony Martial following behind with just five. Reacting to the news, BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes said:

It’s difficult to know the truth really, internal disciplinary, you think lateness. But I love him, the way he’s honest, he’s got the lad in the form of his life who will be a big part today he’d be coming into this game expecting to score goals and win the game. To stand by his guns, we’ll see if it’s a wise decision.”

Scholes did reserve some praise for Ten Hag and the way he has handled the situation. “I love the way he deals with it,” he said.

“Marcus Rashford today would be the first name in the team but he’s obviously done something that’s upset him, the rest of the team, Marcus has paid for it.”

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand added: “We can all have our opinion but the most important people are those in that changing room.

“If they’re responding to these decisions with respect, step out of line you’re punished immediately that can only be positive for this dressing room. Over the last few years, this changing room has needed that hardness, discipline, you see it in the game at times there’s certain times in the game.”

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