When Erik ten Hag revealed Marcus Rashford had been benched at Manchester United for “internal disciplinary” reasons during his pre-match interview with BT Sport, those at the studio were forced to ask him to repeat himself. Maybe there was a bad line, surely there was incredulity.
Calmly, Ten Hag said the same two words again. It felt like the start of another tale of United riots. The last player to be penalized by Ten Hag for such issues left the club shortly after and is now in Saudi Arabia.
However, this situation is completely different. At the end of the afternoon, Rashford explained why he had been left out of the line-up at Molineux and agreed with the decision. “I was a little late for a meeting and overslept,” he told BT Sport. “Those are the team rules. I think it’s a mistake that can happen, but I understand the decision. I’m glad we still managed to win the game and I think we can draw a line under it.”
He described punctuality under Ten Hag to the BBC as “non-negotiable”. His alarm clock had gone off, but reassuring to us mere mortals, even top athletes can hit the snooze button.
It was good to hear directly from Rashford, although, as he admitted, talking is easier after a win. The fact that he scored the winning goal in another performance of real presence made for an all-around satisfying episode. Ten Hag’s authority was underscored, Rashford reacted correctly to continue his great form and United moved back up to Champions League spots for the first time since March.
Ten Hag has made his principles very clear since joining Carrington. As revealed by The Athletic, a player has been banned from the pre-season tour for being twice late for team meetings. Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea spoke about the importance of following the rules.
Alejandro Garnacho had to create his chance after an initial lack of effort. Cristiano Ronaldo had to train alone after leaving a game early. The message was consistent.
Timekeeping might be a small thing and unrelated to winning games, but Ten Hag makes a crucial connection. “Everyone has to meet the standards and the rules, then we have to draw conclusions, I expect that on the pitch too,” he said. “There must be consequences, otherwise you cannot be successful.”
Marcus Rashford scored after starting on the bench against Wolves (Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Ten Hag thinks that letting his demands slip off the field invites players to be lax about his demands. He wants players to trust each other when he asks for bold positions, taking risks and protecting where necessary. That confidence was lacking in the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City, for example, and United were torn apart.
Since that game United have won six in the Premier League, drawn two, lost one, kept five clean sheets and only once at Aston Villa have conceded more than one.
Rashford was responsible for much of that attacking advantage and a manager less confident than Ten Hag might have been tempted to keep him on the team as vital points were at stake. But Ten Hag, who has the full support of executives, took the longer-term view. He knew the message punishing Rashford would reach the rest of the group.
Ten Hag said: “It must be so. We are a team that is difficult to beat. But that’s because we attack at 11, defend at 11, everyone sticks to the rules of defense. That’s why it’s so difficult to score against us. So if you don’t do that anymore, we will be punished. If you miss the standards and rules off the pitch, that also flows onto the pitch.”
Rashford scored the winner against West Ham in October (Picture: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
This is a dressing room, remember, that has had discipline and unity issues before. Luke Shaw, who excelled as a central defender for the second year in a row, said: “It has to be like that at a top club like this. People can’t do what they want. Maybe that was part of the problem in the past — people got away with silly little things. The manager takes all of this into account. If you don’t keep the standards high, you won’t play.”
Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand know what it’s like to be in a tough dressing room. Sir Alex Ferguson hated being late and told people it was better to be 20 minutes early than two minutes late. Both Scholes and Ferdinand supported Ten Hag.
Ferdinand said of Rashford: “He’s on form and one of the first names on the team sheet – the first name – at this point, but in the same vein you’re happy to see the manager staying on form.”
Rashford proved his importance when he came on as a substitute. Garnacho, starting on the left in his place, had some good moments, notably the cross for Anthony Martial who should have scored and batting Tyrell Malacia for a cutback which Antony headed to Jose Sa, but he missed his big chance.
Christian Eriksen embezzled his through ball only for Nelson Semedo in support, who deflected Garnacho with a grossly inadequate back pass. Garnacho hit his finish well enough but telegraphed his placement, with Sa holding off a good save.
Ten Hag, unhappy with the performances of several players in the first half due to a lack of openness, wasted no time and made the move. At the start of the break, Rashford was out, stripped to his kit and warming up.
When play resumed, Rashford’s determination was palpable. Every time he picked up the ball, he drove with dangerous intentions, although something was missing to unlock the Wolves’ defense.
Ten Hag called Casemiro while Matheus Nunes was in treatment to give instructions. Casemiro’s first port of call was Rashford, where he directed the movement. Next he went to Martial.
Rashford United took the lead six minutes later. He had threatened the train he had hit just before. He turned off the wing for a one-two with Fred, but the pass back went up and behind his run. Bruno Fernandes understood better and hit his pass deep and into Rashford’s feet. Rashford was at his best in bullying, smashing his way through three Wolves players, forcing Jonny Otto down and fooling Sa with his finish.
At the celebrations, Casemiro gave Rashford a knowing pat on the head.
Rashford was unlucky not to get another as he showed strength again, the ball hit his arm en route and VAR chalked the goal up. It was the second goal Rashford was denied by computer officials this season, after one at Everton.
At the celebrations, Eric patted Ramsay Ten Hag on the back as if to acknowledge a management move that had elicited a brace from the disciplined player.
A smarter pass from Donny van de Beek on two subsequent occasions when Wolves were stretched would have offered Rashford further chances but by the final whistle only three points mattered.
He applauded the visiting fans and left the pitch to be greeted with a hug by Ten Hag. Point made, everyone can continue.
(Top Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)