Rashford 'TAKES ISSUE' with Ten Hag as Man Utd boss 'mocked behind his back'

Robin Bairner

14 Jun 2024 14:00 BST
4 min read

Marcus Rashford, Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag might be in line for a new contract after his job at Old Trafford was confirmed, but his problems are certainly not over.

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Ten Hag’s reputation within the Man Utd dressing room remains difficult, as outlined by reports that have broken in the days since his stay was confirmed.

In particular, he has relationships with key players to mend and faces the tricky task of winning over influential stars.

STATS

Marcus Rashford

AM (RL), F (C)

Man Utd

Marcus Rashford

AM (RL), F (C)

Man Utd

43

Games
8

Goals
5

Assists

The Athletic, for example, has outlined the tension that he has experienced with Marcus Rashford, who endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign, netting only eight goals across all competitions after a bright spell at the beginning of 2023.

While it states that Rashford has reacted well to the work of Sir Dave Brailsford, there are “strains” in how the player interacts with the manager.

“Rashford is known to have taken issue with Ten Hag’s style of management,” The Athletic states.

“The pair seemed to have a strong relationship after a productive first season, with Rashford given the platform to play some of the best football of his career, but strains emerged.

“Rashford is the kind of player who takes on coaching in bite-sized chunks rather than exhaustive instructions.

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept Rashford’s game relatively simple, focusing on his ability to cut in from the left and run in behind. The arrival of Rasmus Hojlund, who likes to pick up the ball in the inside left channel, saw Rashford shift further towards the wing, away from the areas where he did his best work.”

Rashford is far from the only Man Utd player frustrated with the coach. Jadon Sancho is on his way out after a public disagreement with the manager, while Antony was left fuming by being asked to play left-back against Liverpool and Arsenal, the Athletic says.

Ten Hag mocked by the players

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reports that there is a running joke against the manager.

“More harmony is required in the dressing room,” it says. “When Ten Hag arrived, he attempted to instil his philosophy into his players, telling them that when they did not have the ball he wanted to buzz around their opponents ‘like bees’, before making buzzing noises to make the point.

“At one point earlier this season, according to sources, the players mimicked the noises when his back was turned.”

Which Man Utd stars were mocking Ten Hag have not been revealed.