Marcus Rashford was ruled out of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Fulham due to an injury.
The forward partook in a fitness test on Saturday morning, but was not deemed fit enough to make the matchday squad at Craven Cottage after suffering a heavy knock in training.
“We tested it this morning and it was not good enough,” Man United manager Erik ten Hag told TNT Sports.
The Dutchman refuted claims that Rashford was dropped after he attended a pre-planned party to celebrate his birthday following last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City.
When asked if Rashford would have started if he had been fit, Ten Hag said: “Yes. I have said everything about it.”
Erik ten Hag confirms that Marcus Rashford would have started against Fulham today if he was fit.
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2023
Anthony Garnacho took Rashford’s place in the starting XI, while Raphael Varane found himself on the bench for a second Premier League game in a row as Ten Hag persists with the Jonny Evans-Harry Maguire partnership in central defence. Mason Mount was also named on the bench.
On what Man United need to do to win the game against Fulham, Ten Hag said: “It starts with team spirit from the first whistle and we have to make it our game.
“We have to do the hard work, do it together and find a way to win. We have seen the performances have not been good enough.
“Don’t look back. Of course we take the lessons, but look forward.”
Read – Ten Hag defends Man Utd ‘fight’ after dismal week