Manchester United are looking to move forward and draw a line under the latest off-field situation to arise.
Is anything ever simple with Manchester United? Even a straightforward looking FA Cup tie against Newport County was overshadowed by Marcus Rashford missing the game through illness/attending a nightclub.
The Athletic had reported Rashford had been seen at a nightclub in two separate days last week before returning for training ill. Erik ten Hag said after the game that the club were addressing the situation.
Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed, according to the club.
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Rashford reportedly fined
According to The Sun, Rashford has been fined two weeks wages, totalling £650,000.
It comes amid the same report claiming the Manchester United forward had been drinking heavily, with their source adding: “Marcus accepts his standards have fallen well short of what is expected.”
Marcus Rashford difference with Jadon Sancho
Marcus Rashford will re-join Manchester United for training now, as the team build towards this week’s upcoming game against Wolves.
Manchester United have shown more lenience with Rashford in comparison to the ugly Jadon Sancho situation which unravelled earlier this season.
And the reason for this is in Manchester United’s club statement, which explains Rashford’s regret at his actions.
The statement read: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
The key words there are at the start. ‘Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions.’
Jadon Sancho chose to do the very opposite, refusing to take any responsibility for his perceived misdemeanours.
Sancho caused his own misfortune
Even if Jadon Sancho was right to disagree with Erik ten Hag on his reasons for being dropped from the squad to face Arsenal in September, the way he reacted was seen as a worse offence by his manager.
Sancho hit out on social media, undermining Ten Hag’s authority, branding his manager’s comments as inaccurate.
Even if Sancho stood by this, all he had to do was say sorry to his manager for not handling the situation in the right way. He refused.
Sancho was unwilling to apologise to manager at all, even knowing it would mean he would play no further part in the club and sit on the sidelines for months. He has since been sent out on loan.
Rashford instead has chosen to act maturely, in this instance. Firstly he stayed quiet on social media while the club investigated.
Secondly, he has apologised to the club, to their evident satisfaction. Jadon Sancho did not have the willingness to do this, or the respect for the supporters, to try and resolve his situation for the good of the club.
United fans still not happy with Rashford
An apology will only go so far. A goal against Wolves this week will not do much to dissuade fans that Marcus Rashford has lost his way.
This is not a one-off. Rashford was criticised by Erik ten Hag for attending a nightclub after the team’s defeat at home to City earlier in the season.
Rashford’s form has been off all season, with his body language reflecting a player who looks like he is not in a good place mentally.
The Mail report Manchester United’s players are unimpressed with Rashford’s latest escapade either.
While we would not want this blown up into a bigger deal than it is, because Rashford has apparently expressed some regret, seen sincerely by United, the forward has some making up to do. To his teammates, to his manager, and to supporters.
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