BREAKING NEWS: “If they ѕаck me todаy, they аre rіght…I ѕhouldn’t hаve benched them, I’m ѕorry”: Erіk ten Hаg ѕwаllowѕ hіѕ рrіde аnd арologіze to Mаn Unіted’ѕ fаnѕ for benchіng TWO Plаyer’ѕ who hаve аre the beѕt ѕo fаr іn thіѕ ѕeаѕon.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag defended his decision to bench Marcus Rashford for the team’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, calling the reactions from commentators “crazy.”
Despite scoring three goals in his previous two matches, Rashford was left out in favor of a front line featuring Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Amad Diallo. However, United struggled to convert their possession into goals, missing opportunities at Selhurst Park and allowing the hosts to secure a point despite underperforming.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp was among those who questioned Ten Hag’s choice to exclude Rashford, suggesting there might be underlying issues at play. “It feels like something has gone wrong,” Redknapp stated. “I don’t know the details, but you wouldn’t drop a player who scored twice midweek and against Southampton. I wouldn’t say he’s fully back, but he’s showing signs of the Rashford from two years ago. I’m uncertain what happened this week, but I sense the manager’s dissatisfaction. It’s unusual for a manager to criticize players’ lifestyles. Sir Alex Ferguson would never have done that, but Ten Hag has done so multiple times, which doesn’t always benefit the players.”

In response, Ten Hag quickly rebuked Redknapp and others who echoed his sentiments, asserting, “The speculation from such commentators is insane.”
Erik ten Hag’s decision to bench Marcus Rashford in Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace sparked significant debate, with pundits like Jamie Redknapp suggesting there could be deeper issues behind the move. Rashford, who had been in solid form with three goals in his previous two matches, was left out in favor of a front line featuring Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, and Amad Diallo. Despite their dominance in possession, United failed to capitalize on their chances, leading to frustration.

Redknapp speculated that the decision hinted at underlying tensions, noting Rashford’s recent performance improvements but also suggesting the manager might be unhappy with aspects of the player’s attitude or lifestyle, as Ten Hag had previously criticized players publicly. Redknapp contrasted this with the approach of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who seldom aired such concerns publicly.

In his defense, Ten Hag dismissed these critiques as “crazy” and speculative, asserting that his decision-making was purely tactical and not influenced by off-field issues.