Marcus Rashford takes responsibility for off-field antic
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 derby 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 Thursday’s match against Wolves.
“He has taken responsibility and the rest is an internal matter. Case closed,” the Dutchman said.
Rashford is not the first player to be subject of internal disciplinary proceedings, with Jadon Sancho banished from September 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 Ten Hag’s discipline is being undermined.
“It’s nothing to do with that,” the United boss said, when asked about the respect players have for him given such matters have reared their head before.
“But, as I said, let’s focus on the game, let’s move on. I think the statement is clear and we have to focus on winning football games.”
Pushed on whether he thinks he is imposing the right discipline on his squad to win matches, Ten Hag said: “Nothing to do with that with me.
“But in football you need discipline, and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch because also there is a line between. Every player knows this, every professional knows this, what is required.”
Ten Hag underlined the need for accountability but says he takes potential matters going on behind the scenes into consideration when dealing with player behaviour.
“Of course, that is part of the job to support your players,” he said. “But also we have people in this club who are helping the players on that.
“But, as I said before, at the end of the day when you are a player at Manchester United you have to manage yourself and you have to take responsibility for your performance and your performance in a team.
“At Manchester United it’s winning football games. It’s all about that. It’s not so complicated.”
Ten Hag disagrees that starting Rashford on Thursday may send out the wrong message and pointed to his absence at Newport, where he rejected the player’s offer to travel down on Sunday after two days off ill.
“I didn’t pick him on Sunday,” the United boss added. “We draw the line and from that point on we move on.”
—Skysports