Breaking News: Marcus Rashford Breaks Silence on Absence Against Crystal Palace, Criticizes Erik ten Hag.
In a stunning turn of events, Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has publicly criticized manager Erik ten Hag following his absence from the starting lineup in the recent match against Crystal Palace. The England international, speaking candidly after the team’s training session, didn’t hold back as he shed light on the reasons behind his unexpected omission and his frustrations with the Dutch manager.
Rashford, who has been one of United’s key players in recent years, made headlines when he was left out of the starting XI for the match against Crystal Palace. Fans and pundits speculated about the reasons for his absence, with some suggesting it was a tactical decision by ten Hag, while others suspected an underlying issue. Now, Rashford has set the record straight, revealing that his exclusion was due to a disagreement over tactics rather than any strategic reasoning.
“I’d rather have a 2-year-old as my coach than work with Ten Hag,” Rashford stated bluntly. “He just doesn’t grasp United’s tradition. I spoke up about his tactics, and next thing I know, I’m benched against Crystal Palace.”
Rashford’s comments are a clear indication of the growing tension within the United camp. The forward’s frustration with ten Hag’s approach seems to be centered around a perceived lack of understanding of the club’s philosophy and traditions, something that Rashford, who has been with United since his youth, holds dear.
“My form lately? That’s all thanks to Van Nistelrooy—he knows the game,” Rashford continued, crediting his recent performances to former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been working with the club’s attacking players in a consultancy role. “He’s been helping me understand my role better and getting the best out of me on the pitch.”
The 25-year-old didn’t stop there. He also took aim at ten Hag’s handling of other high-profile players, suggesting that the Dutchman’s methods have led to unnecessary conflicts. “Ten Hag? He’s clueless, and that’s why he’s clashing with players like Sancho and Ronaldo. He’s out of touch with what this club really stands for.”
Rashford’s remarks reference recent incidents involving Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sancho, who has struggled for form since joining United, has reportedly had a strained relationship with ten Hag, who has publicly criticized the winger’s attitude and performance levels. Ronaldo, meanwhile, saw his time at United end acrimoniously last season after a well-documented fallout with the manager over his role in the team.
Rashford’s comments suggest that he believes ten Hag’s approach has alienated key players and disrupted the team’s harmony. “We’re United. This club has always been about attacking football, playing with flair and passion. But with him, it’s like he wants to strip away everything that makes us who we are.”
The England star’s revelations have already sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans divided over his criticism of the manager. Some have voiced support for Rashford, agreeing that ten Hag’s tactics have stifled the team’s attacking potential, while others believe that the player should respect the manager’s authority and work through any disagreements behind closed doors.
Rashford insisted that his absence against Crystal Palace was not about form or fitness but purely down to his disagreement with ten Hag’s tactics. “I was ready to play, and I wanted to be out there with the team. But because I questioned his tactics, he decided to make an example of me.”
This outburst raises serious questions about the atmosphere within the United dressing room and the relationship between the players and the manager. Ten Hag, who was appointed to bring stability and a clear tactical identity to the team, now faces the challenge of managing a potentially fractured squad.
With United’s season already under scrutiny following a series of inconsistent performances, the timing of Rashford’s comments could not be worse. The team is currently struggling to find their rhythm in the Premier League, and this public fallout will only add to the pressure on ten Hag to get results.
The club has yet to release an official statement regarding Rashford’s remarks, but it’s likely that this issue will be addressed internally. For now, the focus will be on how ten Hag responds to this very public critique from one of his star players and whether he can regain control of a squad that appears to be at odds with his methods.
As for Rashford, his future at the club could come into question if this conflict escalates further. For a player who has been a symbol of Manchester United’s academy and its values, this rift with the current manager is a worrying sign of deeper issues at the club.
The situation at Old Trafford is now more uncertain than ever, with fans, pundits, and players all waiting to see what happens next. This story is far from over, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Manchester United’s season.