“Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has received a plea to engage in a discussion with Marcus Rashford to understand the factors behind his recent off-field behavior. Rashford has come under scrutiny at United after being sighted in a Belfast nightclub, prompting calls for action from Ten Hag.
“Rashford attracted attention after being seen in Belfast, where reports suggest he engaged in a 12-hour tequila binge, leading to his absence from training due to illness. Manchester United has stated that Rashford has acknowledged his actions and he returned to the starting lineup in the recent Premier League victory against West Ham, where he scored. Nonetheless, former Red Devils striker Dwight Yorke suggests that Ten Hag must take further action to prevent Rashford from experiencing similar off-field issues in the future.
Dwight Yorke expressed his concerns to Sky Sports, stating, “I believe Marcus Rashford is the standout player at Manchester United Football Club. It’s unacceptable for your top player to face such issues; there must be an underlying cause. It’s the manager’s responsibility to understand why his star player is behaving this way through direct dialogue.”
He continued, “There seems to be more to the situation than meets the eye. While the media speculates, Rashford’s actions in Belfast were certainly not appropriate. I don’t endorse that behavior whatsoever. However, there’s likely a deeper root cause that needs addressing. If I were Ten Hag, I’d personally visit Rashford’s home and have a candid conversation, whether with his family or agent present. These discussions are crucial because I recognize his significance to my own and Manchester United’s success; he’s a pivotal figure.
Rashford has faced criticism for his recent visit to Belfast, prompting former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to caution the club about the necessity of taking measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. It’s worth noting that Rashford had previously faced consequences, including fines and being benched, for oversleeping and missing training in 2022. However, he rebounded from that setback to conclude the season with an impressive tally of 30 goals. Consequently, Rashford secured a new five-year contract at Old Trafford, becoming the club’s highest-paid player.
Following his nightclub visit, Rashford has been associated with a potential move to PSG, especially as the Ligue 1 side might seek a new striker in the summer should Kylian Mbappe depart for Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Manchester United will likely expect increased goal contributions from Rashford, beginning with their upcoming Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday.