Marcus Rashford was surprisingly dropped to the bench for Manchester United‘s last game of 2022 by Erik ten Hag after an internal issue.
The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to confirm Rashford’s status as United’s premier striker, and his good form at the World Cup in Qatar saw him hit the ground running on return to domestic action, scoring against Burnley and Nottingham Forest.
However, he was surprisingly replaced by Argentinian teenager Alejandro Garnacho in the starting line-up for the New Year’s Eve clash with Wolves.
And Ten Hag explained his selection was down to an “internal disciplinary” matter, but did allow Rashford to sit on the bench – before throwing him on at half-time in an effort to break the deadlock.
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The England striker eventually made good his introduction, opening the scoring by linking up with Bruno Fernandes, shrugging off two challenges and then slotting the ball past goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Despite Rashford’s successful introduction, Rio Ferdinand saw Ten Hag’s starting line-upas an effort to reestablish his authority over a dressing room that was torn to shreds by the Ronaldo affair.
“You think back to when we played, if the manager showed weakness, it’s like the Cristiano Ronaldo situation,” former United defender Ferdinand said on BT Sport.
“We can all have our opinion but the most important people are those in that changing room.
“If they’re responding to these decisions with respect, step out of line you’re punished immediately that can only be positive for this dressing room.
“Over the last few years, this changing room has needed that hardness, discipline, you see it in the game at times there’s certain times in the game.”
Rashford is United’s top-scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions, double the tally of his closest challenger Anthony Martial. With no other player having scored more than three, the club are expected to enter the transfer market in search of a striker – although their ability to invest is reportedly being hampered by the Glazer family’s efforts to sell the club.
“It is always difficult, strikers are expensive and especially in winter,” said Ten Hag on Friday.
“You set the limits high so maybe we have to be creative. We do everything in our power to get it done and get the right player who fits the balance.”
United had been linked with Dutch forward Cody Gakpo, who can play wide or centrally and was thought to fit the bill perfectly. However, the Red Devils were gazumped by Liverpool, who confirmed a £37m deal earlier this week.
Instead, they are expected to try and enter the loan market, with Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix a reported leading target, but the Spanish club are asking for a large fee even for a temporary move.
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