Erik ten Hag’s Marcus Rashford Decision Hints at Major Problem Behind the Scenes at Man Utd, Says Alan Shearer
Erik ten Hag’s decision to bench Marcus Rashford in Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace has sparked speculation about potential behind-the-scenes issues with the player.
Rashford, who had just scored three goals in two games, including a brace in the Carabao Cup win against Barnsley, was surprisingly left out of the starting XI.
Ten Hag attributed the decision to rotation, citing the need to give Alejandro Garnacho more game time, especially with a packed fixture schedule ahead.
However, pundits Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker believe there might be more to the story. On their podcast, The Rest Is Football, they suggested the decision could be related to disciplinary matters, with Shearer noting that Rashford’s form made it unlikely he’d be dropped purely for football reasons.
The situation echoes a previous incident where Rashford was benched last season after a late-night trip to Belfast affected his fitness.
Ten Hag’s comments in a pre-match press conference hinted at concerns over Rashford’s professionalism, saying, “When your lifestyle is not right, you can’t perform.” However, before the Palace match, he downplayed the issue, stating the decision was purely tactical to manage the squad’s fitness amid a congested schedule.
The contrasting explanations from Ten Hag have raised questions about Rashford’s status within the team and whether off-field issues might be influencing his performances and selection.
Erik ten Hag’s Marcus Rashford Decision Hints at Major Problem Behind the Scenes at Man Utd, Says Alan Shearer
