Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has taken issue with criticism of Marcus Rashford.
Erik ten Hag faced the media for his press conference ahead of Manchester United’s weekend clash with Liverpool.
And in addition to providing an injury update on Rasmus Hojlund and backing Jadon Sancho to stay at the club, the manager wanted to make a point.
Ten Hag was asked about forward Marcus Rashford, who was substituted after just over an hour against Brighton.
Rashford’s performance was heavily criticism on Match of the Day by pundit Alan Shearer.
Erik ten Hag on Marcus Rashford
Erik ten Hag has insisted he is pleased with Marcus Rashford, who is looking to get back on track after a disappointing season.
And he took issue with suggestions Rashford was taken off because he was playing poorly.
Ten Hag said: “Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing, whether we are winning whether we are losing, if I take a player off, it’s a conclusion I am not happy with him.
“I am very happy with him. In pre-season and against Fulham, and against Brighton. It was not why I took him off because his performances or his level was not right.
“No we have to rotate and we have good players on the bench as well and we have good energy to win the game, and there will be a rotation, and if there is conclusion the player is not performing.
“It can be sometimes, but not in this case. So stupid analysis from the pundit.”
It was that last jibe from Ten Hag which really landed.
What Alan Shearer said about Marcus Rashford
Alan Shearer picked out Marcus Rashford for criticism following the 2-1 loss to Brighton. The striker scored in the first half but it was ruled out for offside.
Shearer told Match Of The Day: “On today’s evidence and in the game against Fulham, he’s not been anywhere near good enough.
“He’s not a youngster anymore. He has to understand the position and look across the pitch when you can see the whole of it, you shouldn’t be offside then.
“Amad, I thought, was their best player in forward positions, but there was a lack of understanding about where they were on the pitch, particularly from Marcus Rashford, The number of times they were in offside positions.”
Whether Ten hag backs Rashford to start against Liverpool is another matter, with Alejandro Garnacho staking a claim.
Garnacho and Amad are United’s most dangerous wingers on current form, and Rashford could find himself dropped to the bench.
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