Man United manager Erik ten Hag has blamed Manchester United star for Draw against Crystal palace

Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, strongly criticized Sky Sports commentator Jamie Redknapp, labeling his remarks as “not acceptable” after Redknapp suggested that Marcus Rashford was benched as a form of punishment. This controversy emerged when Rashford did not start in United’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace, a surprising choice given his recent performance. Having begun the first six matches of the season and scored three goals in his last two games, his absence sparked significant discussion.

Prior to the match, Ten Hag clarified that Rashford’s benching was purely a matter of rotation due to the team’s demanding schedule. He stressed the importance of giving other players a chance to shine, noting the impressive contributions of wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo. While Ten Hag’s comments focused on squad management, Redknapp implied that Rashford’s omission was related to off-field issues and a lack of discipline.

In the lead-up to the game, Redknapp remarked, “It seems like something has gone wrong… Clearly, something has occurred.” This statement prompted a pointed response from Ten Hag after the match, as he directly addressed Redknapp’s insinuations. In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag expressed frustration over what he deemed unfounded speculation, stating, “Already, the conjecture from certain commentators is absurd.” He criticized Redknapp for making assumptions without all the facts, asserting, “I would argue that as a human, it’s irresponsible to bring up such speculation without knowing the situation.”

Ten Hag reiterated that Rashford’s absence was not due to punishment or any disciplinary issues. “It is merely rotation,” he emphasized. “We have many games ahead, and we need to provide opportunities for all players.” He underscored the necessity of rotation in a season filled with fixtures, asserting that the best-performing players would emerge over time, but it was vital to keep the squad fresh and competitive. The manager also praised Rashford’s current form, stating, “I am extremely pleased with Marcus in all aspects, including his defending and attacking play; he scores at this time, so he is doing well.” He made it clear that Rashford’s benching was simply a tactical decision, not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with his performance.

Ten Hag also acknowledged the contributions of other squad members, highlighting Amad Diallo’s excellent form and Garnacho’s consistent performances, except for the match against Liverpool. “We need to play them as well,” he noted, emphasizing his commitment to utilizing players who are performing well.

This isn’t the first instance of Ten Hag confronting commentator opinions about Rashford. Just three weeks earlier, he had rebuked Alan Shearer for a “dumb” critique of the striker on BBC’s Match of the Day. This ongoing tension illustrates the scrutiny managers endure, particularly regarding key players like Rashford, whose performance is constantly under observation.

In the match against Crystal Palace, United created several opportunities in the first half but failed to score, hitting the crossbar twice and forcing goalkeeper Dean Henderson into six critical saves. Henderson’s efforts kept Palace in the game, and as the match progressed, the home side grew bolder, creating notable chances in the second half.
Reflecting on the performance, Ten Hag acknowledged that his team needed to be more clinical. “We played an excellent game,” he stated. “The only criticism I have is that we were not decisive enough in the box; we should have scored.” He recognized that failing to convert chances allowed Crystal Palace to remain competitive, especially in the first half when United dominated possession.

As the second half unfolded, the match became more balanced, with both teams having opportunities to secure a win. “It is fair to say the second half was more even, and both teams had chances,” Ten Hag observed. Ultimately, United’s inability to capitalize on their early chances meant they settled for a draw, intensifying the discussions surrounding Rashford’s situation.

Following the match, Ten Hag’s rotation strategy continues to be a topic of debate, but he remains steadfast in believing that such decisions are crucial for the team’s long-term success. For Ten Hag, the priority is effective squad management, despite external commentary.Erik ten Hag’s decision to bench Marcus Rashford during Manchester United’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace sparked significant controversy, particularly after Sky Sports commentator Jamie Redknapp suggested that Rashford’s omission was a form of punishment. Redknapp’s implication that off-field issues were behind the decision led to a strong rebuttal from Ten Hag, who deemed such speculation “not acceptable.”

Ten Hag clarified that Rashford’s benching was purely a tactical rotation due to the team’s packed schedule and the need to give other players like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo opportunities to shine. In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag expressed frustration over Redknapp’s insinuations, calling it irresponsible to speculate without full knowledge of the situation. He reiterated that Rashford was in excellent form, both in defense and attack, and emphasized that the decision was not related to discipline but was essential for squad rotation.

This incident followed a similar situation weeks earlier when Ten Hag had to defend Rashford against criticism from Alan Shearer. The growing tension between Ten Hag and the media reflects the challenges managers face in balancing player rotation with external scrutiny, especially regarding star players like Rashford.

Despite United’s dominance in the first half, they failed to capitalize on several chances, and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Ten Hag acknowledged the need for his team to be more clinical in front of goal, but he defended his rotation strategy as necessary for long-term success.