Rashford celebrated his birthday hours after Sunday’s defeat (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford made an ‘unacceptable’ mistake going out to a nightclub following Manchester United’s heavy derby defeat to Manchester City last Sunday but insists there is no issue between the pair.
United were brushed aside by their neighbours at Old Trafford last week with Erling Haaland scoring twice in a 3-0 win to heap more misery on his side’s city rivals.
Reports in the following days revealed Rashford held his birthday celebrations at a Manchester night spot later that night – an event that had been arranged prior to the game.
Discussing the incident on Friday, ten Hag said it was unacceptable from the England international to head out after the heavy defeat but insisted the matter is now resolved.
‘Yes I am aware of it, I spoke with him about it. It is unacceptable. I told them, he apologised and that is it. It is an internal matter.’
Quizzed further, ten Hag added: “As I say, It is an internal matter.
‘He is fitting in. He is very motivated to put things right. I know how much effort he is putting in. He makes a mistake but that doesn’t say he is not fitting in.
Rashford has apologised to his manager (Picture: Getty)
‘He is totally with us. He makes one mistake but also off the pitch what he is doing, how he lives, I am sure he is doing everything right to help the team and to perform and let us win.’
Rashford has scored just one goal this season after hitting 30 last term. The 26-year-old was benched for the midweek defeat to Newcastle United but ten Hag insists that decision was not a punishment.
‘No (he wasn’t dropped against Newcastle because of the party), you have seen we rotated more and he is our intention to position him lower or deeper (in opposition territory) on the pitch,’ Ten Hag said.
‘He has to position close to the opponent’s goals because there are his qualities and we have to get him there and he has to make his movements to arrive at the right time.’
United take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon with United in desperate need of a positive result after a damaging week.
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The England star has apologised to his manager.