Hours after Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to City, Marcus Rashford was spotted in a nightclub. Erik ten Hag deemed this behavior “unacceptable” but noted that aside from this error in judgment, Rashford has been “doing everything right to support the team.” Stay updated with the Fulham vs. Manchester United match on Saturday through our live blog starting at 11 am, and catch free highlights from 5.15 pm.
Erik ten Hag criticized Marcus Rashford’s nightclub visit after Manchester United’s derby defeat as “unacceptable.” However, the striker has since apologized. Rashford’s form has been struggling, with just one goal in 14 games this season, and he was spotted celebrating his birthday in a party hours after their 3-0 loss to Manchester City at Old Trafford.
“Yes, I’m fully aware of it,” stated Ten Hag during his Friday press conference. “I had a conversation with him regarding the incident. It’s an unacceptable situation, and I made that clear to him. He offered his apology, and we consider it an internal matter from this point forward.”
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It’s not the first time Rashford has drawn Ten Hag’s ire for an off-field incident. Last season he was left out of the starting line-up for a Premier League game at Wolves because he overslept and arrived late to a team meeting.
Nonetheless, Ten Hag vehemently dismissed the notion that Rashford is falling short of the standards established by the United boss.
“Your assumption is incorrect,” Ten Hag asserted. “He is aligning with our approach. He is highly motivated to rectify matters. I am well aware of the effort he is investing, and he remains fully committed to our cause.”
“He made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t fitting in. I observe his daily efforts during training, and I’m well aware of what he’s doing. One mistake doesn’t define his commitment. Moreover, his off-field conduct and dedication to helping the team succeed and win are unquestionable.”
Erik ten Hag’s remarks regarding Rashford were delivered during a press conference where he had to defend the character of his squad. They faced criticism after being booed off the pitch following a Manchester derby defeat and a subsequent 3-0 loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.
Despite the team’s struggles, the United manager emphasized that it’s not appropriate to question the character of his players, even though they had lost eight of their first 15 matches this season. While former captain Gary Neville criticized the team’s performances as “woeful” and Paul Merson suggested that Ten Hag had “lost the players,” when asked about their spirit, the Dutchman insisted, “That’s not the case.”