Manchester United say the club have dealt with an “internal disciplinary” matter with Marcus Rashford after he was absent from the team’s 4-2 win at Newport County.
The original guidance given for Rashford’s absence from the squad on Sunday was an illness, after the England striker was pictured out in Belfast earlier in the week.
But United said in a statement on Monday: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
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When questioned about Rashford’s absence for their FA Cup tie at Newport, Erik ten Hag responded with it being ‘an internal matter’ that he will deal with
Rashford will be available for selection ahead of United’s trip to Molineux to face Wolves on Thursday night.
Ten Hag said there was a “no good culture” when he arrived at United in 2022 and he has encountered disciplinary issues during his Old Trafford tenure.
Jadon Sancho returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan earlier this month after falling out with the Dutchman.
Asked after the Newport game if Rashford was another example of that “no good culture”, Ten Hag said: “I don’t go in this case. We talked before about it, we played a good game, and now we move on.”
Has Rashford been in trouble before this term?
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Sue Smith and Stephen Warnock discuss whether Erik ten Hag has learnt from the Jadon Sancho situation at the club after refusing to comment on Rashford missing the FA Cup game at Newport due to illness
With confirmation Rashford was punished for a disciplinary issue, it was the second time in just over a year Ten Hag dropped him. Rashford was left out of the Man Utd starting XI against Wolves on December 31 2022 after arriving late to a team meeting, though he went on to score the winner in that match.
Rashford also had to apologise to Ten Hag earlier this season after having a birthday party just hours after United had lost 3-0 at home to local rivals Manchester City. “It is unacceptable,” Ten Hag said at the time. “I told him, he apologised and that is it.”
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As Rashford’s off-field antics put him in the spotlight once again, we look at his contributions on the pitch, totalling just four club goals so far this season
Last week, Ten Hag had spoken of being unable to sign a striker in the January transfer window due to FFP restrictions and noted how – with Anthony Martial injured – Rashford was an option for him through the middle.
“Of course, [Marcus] Rashford can play as a striker; we have some other alternatives and it’s clear that Anthony is out for a couple of months it’s a gap in our squad, clear.”