Erik ten Hag refutes talk that Marcus Rashford was dropped for Crystal Palace draw - ‘This is crazy’
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 22/09/2024 at 08:08 GMT
Erik ten Hag said it was “crazy” to suggest that Marcus Rashford had been dropped from Manchester United’s starting XI when the winger did not start in the goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Although Rashford had scored three goals in his previous two appearances, the United boss defended his decision and said: “This is just rotation. We have many games to cover.”
'He is a big guy' - Ten Hag praises Rashford after United thrash Barnsley
Erik ten Hag has responded to “crazy” claims that Marcus Rashford was dropped for Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The in-form forward started the match from the bench and came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, despite scoring in United’s 3-0 win over Southampton and grabbing a brace against Barnsley in their midweek League Cup win.
Rashford has started every other game this campaign, including a win over Fulham and defeats against Brighton and Liverpool.
But after it had been suggested the England star had been dropped ahead of The Red Devils’ match against Palace, Ten Hag said it was “just rotation”.
“I heard already speculation from some pundits. That is crazy,” the United boss said after the match. “I would almost say that, as a person, you are not okay when you bring such speculation if you don’t know.
“This is just rotation. We have many games to cover. We have more than a starting 11 of players. If the players perform, we will give them their chances. Finally, we will find out and the players who perform better will play more.
“This has nothing to do. I’m very happy with Marcus, with everything. With his defending part, offensive, he scores in this moment, he performs very good. So there is nothing to do with it that he was on the bench, just rotation.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/09/14/4039881-81935268-2560-1440.jpg)
'You cannot compare this' - Slot and Ten Hag look to move on from Forest and Palace slips
Ten Hag opted to start with Alejandro Garnacho in Rashford’s usual left-sided position at Selhurst Park.
Joshua Zirkzee started up front - where Rashford played against Barnsley - with captain Bruno Fernandes in the hole and Amad Diallo deployed out on the right as United laboured through their third winless game of the season.
“I have to say Amad is playing very good,” Ten Hag added. “Garnacho, in almost all the games so far apart from maybe Liverpool, has had end product.
“We have to play them as well.”
United return to European action on Thursday when they host FC Twente in the UEFA Europa League - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - before they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford next Sunday.
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Scan me
Share this article
Related Topics