Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford will be available for his side’s Premier League clash at Wolves on Thursday night after missing the Red Devils’ FA Cup fourth round victory over Newport at the weekend. And United manager Erik ten Hag may be treating the winger differently than he treated Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford was seen in nightspots in Belfast in the build up to the game against Newport. At the weekend, The Athletic reported that the 26-year-old was spotted in Lavery’s Bar on Wednesday night, before visiting Thompsons Garage on Thursday. Rashford then reported himself too ill for training on Friday morning as he flew back to Manchester.
The same publication reported that Rashford met with Ten Hag and United football director John Murtough alongside his brother and agent Dwaine Maynard at Carrington on Monday as the player’s employers attempted to uncover the truth about what went on in Northern Ireland.
And Rashford will be considered for selection again after the club explained: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
Rashford has been guilty of disciplinary lapses in the past and was benched for his team’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle in November after heading into Manchester to celebrate his birthday in the aftermath of United’s Premier League defeat against Manchester City.
And the England international also missed out on a place in the starting line up when the Red Devils travelled to Wolves on New Year’s Eve in 2022 after missing a team meeting. But he was still allowed to feature in those matches as he came off the bench on both occasions. And, according to the Manchester Evening News, questions have been raised as Ten Hag’s treatment of Rashford isn’t consistent with how the Dutchman dealt with Ronaldo.
Towards the end of Ronaldo’s second stint in England, he refused to come on as a late substitute during a 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford in October 2022. Ten Hag then refused to select the Portugal international in his matchday squad for their next Premier League match against Chelsea three days later. Ronaldo eventually had his contract terminated following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan and ended up moving to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo fell foul of the rules and was punished. But Ten Hag appears reluctant to treat Rashford in the same manner, which could be a sign the ex-Ajax boss is losing his control as Red Devils manager. And if players start rebelling, the boss could struggle to turn the tide at Old Trafford.
