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Erik ten Hag says it was ‘not a difficult decision’ to drop Marcus Rashford from his starting XI to face Crystal Palace as Manchester United have to ‘rotate’ their attacking players this season.
Rashford failed to find the net in United’s opening three games of the Premier League season but got off the mark with a curled effort past Aaron Ramsdale in the side’s 3-0 victory at Southampton last weekend.
The 26-year-old, who missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, also scored twice in midweek as the Red Devils thrashed Barnsley to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of United’s trip to Palace, Ten Hag hit out at Rashford for a displaying a lack of professionalism last season and said the forward was now benefitting from an improved attitude.
However, the United head coach opted to name Rashford among his substitutes, with Alejandro Garnacho given the nod from the start at Selhurst Park.
‘No, it was not a difficult decision because we have to rotate,’ Ten Hag told Sky Sports in his pre-match interview.
‘We have so many games to cover and also we have to give Alejandro games.
‘As we have all seen, he [Garnacho] has a lot of end product, has scored so many goals, so many assists. That’s for certain. But also he needs starts and he started only one time this season.’
Former United defender Phil Jones, on punditry duty with Sky Sports, admitted he was ‘really surprised’ by the decision given Rashford’s form in the club’s last two matches.
‘I’m really surprised. I did see him starting today,’ Jones said.
‘He scored a goal against Southampton, gained a little bit of confidence.
‘He scored a couple of goals in midweek against Barnsley so you’re thinking possible throw him in against today and build that momentum.
‘Obviously it’s not to be, he’s not starting.
‘But I’m sure he will play a big part from the bench.’
Jamie Redknapp, meanwhile, speculated that something ‘untoward’ had happened behind the scenes which led to Rashford being replaced in Ten Hag’s starting XI.
‘It feels like something has gone on untoward,’ the ex-Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder said.
‘I don’t know the details obviously but you don’t drop a player who has just scored two in midweek, he scored against Southampton.
‘I’d be nervous to stay he’s back, but he’s certainly showing signs of the energy we saw Marcus of two years ago.
‘It feels as if something has maybe happened this week. I don’t know the manager’s frustration.
‘It’s unusual for a manager to come out and almost out a player by talking about their lifestyle.
‘Sir Alex Ferguson would very rarely do that, well he would never do it, whereas Ten Hag has done it on occasions and it’s not always beneficial to the players.’
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