Ten Hag tells United players to be disciplined on and off the pitch after Rashford antics
Simon Peach
Erik ten Hag says his players have to be disciplined on and off the pitch as the Manchester United boss looks to move on from Marcus Rashford’s reported Belfast escapades.
The 26-year-old has been far from his best this season, scoring just four goals, and his decision-making off the field has brought further scrutiny and criticism.
Ten Hag called Rashford’s decision to go to a nightclub party after October’s 3-0 dertyandfortherestit’saninternal by defeat to Manchester City “unacceptable” and stories emerged in recent days of more late-night exploits.
Rashford is reported to have gone out in Belfast last Thursday night until 3am, before reporting ill the following day and going on to miss Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport.
United later said in a statement that “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions” and that the “internal disciplinary matter” is closed – something Ten Hag referred back to ahead of tonight’s match against Wolves.
“So,hehastakenresponsibilimatter – case closed,” the Red Devils boss said, before repeating “case closed” when asked a follow-up.
Rashfordisnotthefirstplayer tobesubjectofinternaldisciplinary proceedings, with Jadon Sanchobanishedfromseptember and returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan earlier this month.
There were also well-documented issues with star name Cristiano Ronaldo during his first season in charge, raising questions about whether disciplinarian Ten Hag had been undermined.
“It’s nothing to do with that,” the United boss said, when asked about the respect players haveforhimgivensuchmatters have reared their head before.
“But,asisaid,let’sfocusonthe game, let’s move on. I think the statement is clear and we have to focus on winning football games.”
Pushed on whether he thought he was imposing the right discipline on his squad to win matches, Ten Hag said: “Nothing to do with that with me.butinfootballyouneeddiscipline and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch because also there is a line between.”