Erik ten Hag insisted Marcus Rashford was back in favour after the Manchester United forward responded to his benching for missing a team meeting with the late strike that clinched a 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.
United manager Ten Hag sprang a pre-match surprise when he revealed Rashford had been dropped because of an “internal disciplinary” issue that broke “our rules”.
The 25-year-old had been in excellent form this season and also scored three goals for England at the World Cup, so United fans were startled to learn of his demotion.
But Rashford’s exile only lasted until halftime when he was sent on by Ten Hag in a move that proved the catalyst for United to seal their fifth successive win in all competitions.
Rashford looked determined to prove Ten Hag was wrong to drop him as he rampaged through the Wolves defence to score his 11th goal in all competitions this season and his third in three appearances since the World Cup.
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In a post-match television interview, Rashford said he was disappointed to be left out after missing the meeting because he overslept.
But both Ten Hag and Rashford appear ready to bury the hatchet and move on. “We draw a line under it and move on. I was a little bit late for a meeting. I overslept but it can happen,” Rashford said.
“Obviously it’s team rules. I made a mistake. That can happen. I’m obviously disappointed not to play but I understand the decision and I’m happy we managed to win anyway. I think I’m in a good place.”
Ten Hag added: “It’s good after the decision. I think it happens often. Coming in he was bright, lively, he scored a goal and that is the right reaction,” Ten Hag said.
“Of course (that is the end of the matter). Everyone has to match the rules. This is the right answer.”
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Defender Luke Shaw praised the Dutch manager for bringing a new sense of discipline to the club.
“At a top club like this, it has to be like that,” Shaw told BT Sport. “I think that people can’t do whatever they want and maybe that’s been part of the problem in the past with people getting away with silly little things.”
Speaking about Rashford’s benching, he added: “The manager takes all of that into consideration. Like you’ve seen today, if you’re not keeping the standards high then you won’t play.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was infamously dropped by ten Hag after refusing to appear as a late substitute in a match against Spurs in October.
Shaw was also full of praise for his young teammate, saying he could be one of the best players in the world.
“I think he’s in a really good way at the moment. He’s extremely confident, very positive, very happy and it’s nice to see it.
“Everyone knows the quality that he’s got. He’s world class and he could be one of the best in the world if he keeps going and hopefully he does do that.”
United climbed into fourth place in the Premer League, two points above Tottenham who have a game in hand, as they bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“I was not happy at halftime and I told them with this attitude they will not win this game and everyone had to give 10 per cent more,” Ten Hag said.