Erik ten Hag tells Marcus Rashford to manage himself as Man Utd boss sets out demands to wayward star
ERIK TEN HAG has warned wayward star Marcus Rashford to sort his life out.
Manchester United’s no-nonsense manager disciplined the England frontman after he partied until the early hours of last Friday and then missed training.
GettyErik ten Hag has issued a warning to Marcus Rashford[/caption]
2024 Simon Stacpoole/OffsideThe manager has urged the striker to sort his life out[/caption]
Now, Dutchman Ten Hag has warned Rashford, 26, and his entire squad to remember what it means to represent the club.
Ahead of the Premier League trip to Wolves, Ten Hag said: “First of all, the players at this level need to manage themselves.
“That is what you can demand from the player.
“The player has to know what is good and not good.
“When you want to play top-level football, it just demands a certain way of life. Always.”
The Red Devils chief scoffed at the suggestion this message needs reinforcing in his dressing room.
He said: “No, come on. We are talking about top football players.
“I don’t have to educate them any more. When you are playing for Man United, they should know.”
Ex-Ajax boss Ten Hag said there was help available for Rashford at the club if he needed it for other issues — but reiterated the player needs to take responsibility himself.
He said: “Of course. That is part of the job to support your players but we also have people in this club helping the players on that. But as I said before, when you are a player at Manchester United, you have to manage yourself.
“You have to take responsibility for your performance and your performance in the team — it is all about that.
“At Manchester United, it is all about winning football games. It is really not so complicated.”
Rashford has been fined two weeks’ wages — £650,000 — after it was revealed he had been out in Belfast until the small hours of Friday before flying back to Manchester on a private jet.
The England star then rang in sick and missed training.
Rashford’s partying storm comes just as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his top advisor, Sir Dave Brailsford, try to improve the culture at the club.
The forward was subsequently left out the squad for Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win at Newport — but he is back in the fold following a meeting with Ten Hag on Monday.
And the Old Trafford gaffer does not believe that playing Rashford at Molineux would send out the wrong message to the player or dressing room.
Ten Hag explained: “So, I didn’t pick him on Sunday. We draw the line and from that point on, we move on
“He has taken responsibility. Case closed.”
ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
WEDNESDAY JAN 24
9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.
4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.
5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
THURSDAY JAN 25
1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.
2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.
4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.
9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
FRIDAY JAN 26
00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.
2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.
2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.
5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.
7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.
8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
SUNDAY JAN 28
Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
MONDAY JAN 29
8.45am: Rashford arrives for training.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news from Old Trafford
