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Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford are reportedly barely on speaking terms, with Man United staff claimed to be fearful that their relationship has broken down irrevocably.
According to The Sun, Ten Hag and Rashford have barely been speaking since the star called in sick for training following a 12-hour drinking binge in Belfast last month.
Rashford’s escapades in Northern Ireland’s capital led to him missing a training session and Man United’s FA Cup win over Newport County through illness.
The England international was subsequently fined £650,000 – two weeks wages – when details of his boozy antics emerged.
Rashford was ‘clearly on a mission to get drunk’, according to accounts of his night out in the Northern Irish city, and collapsed into bed fully-clothed at 3am.
He missed training after going out until 3am in Belfast while visiting his old teammate Ro-Shaun Williams, and then tried to mislead the club by saying the night out was on Wednesday and not Thursday.
Ten Hag attempted to draw a line under the incident in public last month, revealing Rashford had taken responsibility.
Asked if Rashford’s behaviour showed a lack of respect towards his manager, Ten Hag last month said: ‘Nothing to do with that with me but in football, you need discipline and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch.
‘There is a line between, when every player, every professional knows this, what is required. We have to focus on winning football games and that’s all that matters and every top professional knows what is required.
‘He has taken responsibility and for the rest it’s an internal matter. Case closed.’
The Sun report that the relationship has not been repaired despite Ten Hag’s public comments.
The Man United boss reportedly hauled Rashford in for a private meeting to hear his explanation.
Man United staff are reportedly concerned the situation is now irrevocably.
Rashford had previously fallen foul of Ten Hag earlier in the season, with the Man United boss stating it was ‘unacceptable’ after the star had a birthday party at a nightclub hours after their 3-0 defeat to Man City.
The forward has scored just five goals in 31 matches this campaign, a marked downturn in form after netting 30 goals in 56 games last season.
Ten Hag’s future at Man United remains uncertain, with new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reluctant to discuss the Dutchman’s position after securing his 27.7 per cent stake in the club.
Former Man United star Gary Neville has claimed Ratcliffe will have likely decided Ten Hag’s future already.
‘They’re going to make a decision I think quite quickly if they’ve not already,’ Neville told Sky Sports.
‘I suspect that Jim Ratcliffe, Dave Brailsford, already know whether they’re going to keep Ten Hag as manager next season.
‘I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision and then leave themselves short.’
Rashford has also attracted interest from Paris Saint Germain due to the imminent departure of Kylian Mbappe. Any sale of the England striker would be transformative for Man United’s finances.
Man United are currently eight points behind Aston Villa in the race for Champions League football next season. The Red Devils will travel to Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wendesday.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
