Marcus Rashford: Man Utd forward dropped by manager Erik ten Hag for disciplinary reasons
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ByEurosport
Updated 31/12/2022 at 14:51 GMT
Marcus Rashford was part of England's team at the 2022 World Cup that were knocked out by eventual runners-up France. However he has been dropped for the New Year's Eve clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed to BT Sport ahead of the game that it was because of an "internal disciplinary" issue with the forward.
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he dropped England forward Marcus Rashford to the bench for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an "internal disciplinary" issue.
Rashford was on form for the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in United's first league game back after the World Cup, scoring one and assisting another.
It was therefore a surprise when he was named on the bench for the Wolves game, although with the game goalless at the break, the England international was brought on for the second half.
And with United heading for a stalemate, he would score the winner - his 11th goal of the season - with just 14 minutes to play.
Speaking to BT Sport before the game Ten Hag confirmed it was for an "internal disciplinary" issue, adding that it was due to "our rules."
In the studio before the match, former Manchester United and BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes praised Ten Hag for how he has dealt with the matter.
Scholes said: "It's difficult to know the truth, really. He said internal disciplinary, you know, you think maybe lateness, something like that. But I love him, the way he’s really honest.
"He [Rashford] would be a big part of today, should be a big part today. He'd have been coming into this game expecting to score goals and winning the game.
“So, look, for him to stand by his guns like he has done … we'll see if it was a wise decision come the end of the game."
He added: "I love the way he's been with it, he doesn't care who it is. Marcus Rashford today would be the first name on his team, he's obviously done something that has upset him and upset the rest of the team as well."
Rio Ferdinand echoed his former team-mate's opinion, saying: "The most important people are the players in that changing room and if they're responding to these type of decisions with respect and a nod and going: ‘you know what, that's for me, all being treated the same, you step out of line you get punished for it immediately’, that can only be positive for that dressing room.
"I think over the last few years, I think this changing room has probably needed that, that little bit of hardness and the discipline."
Former England and Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott said: "I think there's been elements of previous regimes at United where players are treated different and that's one thing you can't tolerate as a player.
"I didn't care how strict or how lax the rules were, I just wanted it to be fair for everyone and I think as players, that's what you want to see."
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