Erik ten Hag has once again voiced his displeasure at Jamie Redknapp for sparking unwarranted speculation about Marcus Rashford.
Redknapp was on punditry duty for Sky Sports at Selhurst Park on Saturday for Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace where Rashford was left on the bench. Ten Hag said Rashford had simply been rotated rather than dropped in favour of Alejandro Garnacho, but Redknapp was convinced there was another reason behind the decision.
He said “something untoward” may have happened between Ten Hag and the United forward, adding “it feels like something's happened”. The former Liverpool midfielder then alluded to Rashford’s off-pitch discipline issues of last season, which saw him dropped after deciding to go partying in Belfast before an FA Cup tie.
Ten Hag had been informed of Redknapp’s comments before his post-match press conference on Saturday and made a point of rubbishing them. “That's crazy,” he said. “I would almost say as a person you are not OK when you bring such speculation if you don't know what's up. This is just rotation.”
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The United manager thinks Redknapp crossed the line between stating his opinion and starting unfounded rumours. Asked about the row in another press conference on Tuesday before United face FC Twente in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Wednesday, the Dutchman doubled down.
“I didn’t understand the criticism,” he said. “People are entitled if they want to, but what they are not entitled to do is to bring speculation. If I give an explanation they have to trust my words. If they don’t, that’s not right.”
Rashford scored three goals in two matches before the Palace game, netting in the 3-0 league win over Southampton before adding two more in the 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. He cut a disconsolate figure on the bench at Selhurst Park as Garnacho spurned several great opportunities to open the scoring in the first half.
Ten Hag introduced Rashford in the 61st minute, but he couldn’t get into the game as Palace improved to leave United with a poor attacking record of five goals in five Premier League matches so far – three of which came vs Southampton.
Despite the stalemate, there were positives against Palace, with Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount returning from hamstring injuries, while £50million summer signing Manuel Ugarte also got minutes off the bench. Ten Hag has been hindered by injuries over the past year and is happy to have greater options at his disposal during a busy period.
However, he will still be without Luke Shaw for the Twente match, with the left-back still not ready to make his first appearance since February. Asked whether he would be available before the next international break, which comes after United’s visit to Aston Villa on Sunday, October 6, Ten Hag said: “I think probably, but I’m not 100 per cent sure. The plan is just be back before but, as I say, I can’t say this 100 per cent. It can be shortly after the break.”
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