In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has laid down the gauntlet for star player Marcus Rashford, stating that he will only regain his spot in the team when he proves himself deserving. This announcement comes on the heels of Rashford’s recent benching during the 2-1 victory over Chelsea, a decision prompted by his lackluster performance in the previous match against Newcastle United.
The young talent has been grappling with a dip in form throughout the season, finding the back of the net a mere two times in 19 games. In response to queries from the press on Friday, Ten Hag emphasized the need for Rashford to demonstrate his readiness to contribute, drawing parallels to the tenacious efforts exhibited by Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay in earning their positions in the starting lineup.
“Rashford is an incredible, good player. You can’t do it with 11 players. He can’t play every game and he’s not, in this moment, in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there. What I said about Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, it’s up to them. The team will always line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play,” affirmed Ten Hag, looking ahead to their forthcoming encounter against Bournemouth.
This bold stance by the Manchester United gaffer has ignited speculation and debate across the footballing world, as the spotlight turns to Rashford’s response and the implications for the team’s performance moving forward. The Dutch manager’s unwavering commitment to meritocracy within the squad has undoubtedly piqued the interest of fans and pundits alike, raising questions about the dynamics of player management and performance evaluation in elite football.
