Rashford gives perfect reaction after Ten Hag revelation

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 1 Jan 2023 20:08 GMT
• 4 min read

The future of Marcus Rashford at Manchester United seemed to be placed in renewed doubt following the player’s failure to be named in the starting XI for the Premier League match against Wolves for disciplinary reasons, but the player answered his critics spectacularly.

Rashford may have been Man Utd’s leading scorer in the Premier League this season with five goals prior to the Molineux clash, but that did not stop Ten Hag giving him the cold shoulder for the Red Devils’ final match of 2022.

The England attacker, who scored three goals at the World Cup for his country, has had a one-year extension in his contract triggered, meaning that he is at Old Trafford until 2024, yet he has been linked with a transfer away from the club, with PSG thought to be particularly interested. Real Madrid have also been linked with a possible move.

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Why did Marcus Rashford not play against Wolves?

Ten Hag’s decision to drop Rashford to the bench – and to reveal the reason – only added fuel to the fire that he could leave the club, if not in January, then potentially in the summer.

He told the media prior to the match: “Internal disciplinary. No details. Our rules. Now focus on the game. He is in very good form and no-one can play all the games.”

Rashford revealed after the game that the incident was not as significant as Ten Hag's previous response made it appear.

"I was little bit late for a team meeting," he said. "I slept in - overslept - but it can happen.

"It's the team rules and it is a mistake that can happen. I'm obviously disappointed not to play, but I understand the decision and I'm happy that we managed to win the game. Hopefully we can draw a line under it and move on."

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Rashford, in all probability, will not be leaving during the January transfer window, though his long-term future at the club will remain up for debate, with his contract expiring in June 2024.

United are short of attacking options presently. Beyond the 25-year-old, there is only Anthony Martial who can operate in the No.9 role with confidence. In part, this has been caused following a rift between Cristiano Ronaldo in the club that saw the 37-year-old Portuguese forward depart by mutual consent.

Although Man Utd fans largely took the side of the manager on that occasion, there will be concerns that he has had to come down hard on another one of the club’s offensive stars.

Nevertheless, these worries will have been tempered in part by the response of Rashford. Unlike Ronaldo, who sulked, the Englishman came off the bench to smash the winning goal late in the game.

Similarly, Ten Hag welcomed Ronaldo back into the fold only to have his offer effectively rejected. Rashford, on the other hand, seems to have been more accepting of his punishment – but it is clear that he will have to watch his step if he wishes to remain a Manchester United player in the long term.