Today marks arguably Erik ten Hag’s biggest game in charge of Manchester United with a chance to save his job with victory, but he’s left star man Marcus Rashford out of the squad.
Ten Hag drops Rashford again, but not due to a disciplinary matter
Rashford was not named in the matchday squad for Saturday afternoon’s trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, where United will look to get back on winning terms after suffering consecutive home defeats.
The Red Devils were beaten 3-0 by both Manchester City in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup fourth round, leaving Ten Hag in a spot of bother and fighting for his job just three months into the season.
According to the manager, the decision to leave Rashford out was completely unrelated to a disciplinary matter which saw the player apologise for being pictured partying in Manchester hours after the derby defeat last Sunday.
“Rashford was travelling with us but then he didn’t make it. He’s not fit.”
When asked if the 26-year-old would’ve started if he was fit, Ten Hag replied yes.
🚨 Marcus Rashford, NOT in Man Utd squad to face Fulham today due to injury.
❌ Varane, on the bench again — same for Mason Mount.
📑 Erik Ten Hag’s starting XI:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen, Fernandes; Garnacho, Antony; Hojlund. pic.twitter.com/EvlPnPIi4X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 4, 2023
Rashford has struggled for form this season and looks a shadow of the player who scored 17 Premier League goals in the previous campaign. He has just one so far in 2023/24, coming against Arsenal in September.
He has been punished by Ten Hag due to disciplinary reasons in the past, where he was dropped from the starting line-up on New Year’s Eve against Wolves because he overslept and missed a team meeting, before coming on to score the winner.
If the visitors can’t come away from West London with a result today, it could see the end of Ten Hag’s reign in Manchester.
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