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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refuted Jamie Redknapp's assumptions on why Marcus Rashford did not start in the club's 0-0 Premier League draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday (September 21). The 26-year-old did not feature in the starting XI despite scoring thrice in the last two games.
Ten Hag preferred a frontline, featuring Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Amad Diallo against Crystal Palace. Garnacho started in Rashford's usual position in the left wing. In the 61st minute, the Englishman came in as Zirkzee's substitute but failed to make a significant impact.
Speaking on Sky Sports about Rashford's exclusion from Manchester United's starting XI vs Crystal Palace, Redknapp said (via Express UK):
"It feels like something has gone untoward. I don't know the details. But you don't drop a player that has scored two in midweek and against Southampton. I'd be nervous to say he is back but he is showing signs of the Rashford from two years ago. It feels like something's happened maybe this week."
Redknapp suggested that Ten Hag did not like Rashford's lifestyle, saying:
"I don't know the manager's frustration. It is unusual for a manager to out players for their lifestyle. Sir Alex Ferguson would have never done it, whereas Ten Hag has done it on a few occasions. It is not always beneficial to the players."
In response, Erik ten Hag lashed out at Jamie Redknapp, saying (via journalist Fabrizio Romano's X):
"I have heard already this speculation from some pundits. It’s crazy!. I’d say, as a person you’re not ok when you bring such speculation. This is just rotation! I’m very happy with Marcus."
Marcus Rashford scored his first goal after a seven-month drought in the Red Devils' 3-0 Premier League win over Southampton last week (September 14). He found the net twice against Barnsley in the EFL Cup earlier this week (September 17).
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag explained his decision to exclude Rashford from starting XI vs Crystal Palace
In a pre-match interview, Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag revealed the reason for not including Marcus Rashford in the starting XI vs Crystal Palace. The Dutchman said (via journalist Fabrizio Romano's X):
"It was not difficult because we need to rotate. Alejandro Garnacho also needs starts to get better and get more power. Therefore, we rotate."
Speaking to Sky Sports on the 0-0 draw, the Dutch coach believed Manchester United should have won. He said (via GOAL):
"We should have won. In the first half, we left them alive. We should have scored one or two goals. The second half was more balance. We have worked very hard as a team to be defensively compact. Also, on the ball we want very good structures and control.”
Manchester United will next face Twente in the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday (September 25) before returning to the Premier League to clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (September 29).
