Marcus Rashford’s absence from Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth-round victory at Newport, according to manager Erik ten Hag, is an “internal matter”.
The England forward reported sick on Friday and was not present for training at United.
Nevertheless, it was later revealed by the media that the 26-year-old had been spotted on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in Northern Ireland’s nightclubs.
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“He stated that he was sick. Ten Hag stated on Sunday, “I will take care of the rest; it’s an internal matter.
During his news conference after the game, United’s Dutch manager was asked why an employee who was reporting sick should be an internal concern. He simply said, “It is an internal matter.”
Ten Hag responded, “For you, not for me,” when asked if that raised more questions than it did answers. I will handle it as it is an internal issue. We’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of it.”
Former England and Newcastle forward Alan Shearer stated on BBC One: “You would believe something is up if it was an internal matter.
“Rashford is a really talented player.” He was penalised last season after missing a game due to being late for a meeting, but it’s obvious that something is wrong—either at home or in his relationship with the football team—because he can’t keep acting in this way.
“He can’t waste his talent, it’s not right and he needs strong management and someone to get hold of him and say, ‘you know what, if you get to the end of your career and have huge regrets, you can’t have that’.”
Rashford signed a new contract with his childhood club in the summer after scoring 30 goals for United in all competitions the previous season.
But he’s only managed four this season, and ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp and former United captain Roy Keane blasted him for his recent celebration after he scored in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
“Marcus needs to understand he is a public figure and wherever he goes there is going to be attention on him,” said former England defender Micah Richards.
“No matter what, even if he gets a day off, he still causes more issues before games.
“They wanted to come to the game today and focus on it and now we are having to ask him [Erik ten Hag] what is happening off the pitch.”
