By Lewis Browning and Tum Balogun For Mailonline
01:05 28 Jan 2024, updated 01:20 28 Jan 2024
- It was thought that Rashford has been out Wednesday before a day off Thursday
- It has been reported, however, that he was in Belfast just hours before training
- Why Jurgen Klopp quit and who Liverpool should go for now – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
The forward missed Friday’s sessions despite being seen in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, then called in sick just hours later.
Footage on social media seemed to show Rashford entering the the Thompsons Garage club night club on Wednesday night with sources close to the Manchester United star saying he was out for dinner.
Mail Sport understands that he was back in Manchester on Friday morning, but missed training that day after being taken ill.
According to The Athletic, however, footage has been seen of the England man in a club in the country’s capital a matter of hours before he was supposed to report to Carrington.
Erik ten Hag revealed that the England international’s absence was down to illness during his press conference ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Newport County on Sunday.
‘This morning, Rashford was ill, and Evans was ill,’ the United boss said. ‘So we have to see how they recover, but we have, for the rest, players returning, like Martinez, like Shaw, like Maguire, like Casemiro, which is a good thing.’
Rashford was also seen visiting the training ground of NIFL Premiership side Larne during his trip, where his former United teammate Roshaun Williams now plays.
The players were scheduled for a day off on Thursday, but Rashford reportedly wasn’t close to the United training complex the night before.
It is reported that he attended Lavery’s Bar on Wednesday and the Thompsons Garage club night club on Thursday.
It comes after he risked the wrath of his manager after he went out clubbing following United’s disappointing loss to Manchester City back in October.
The Red Devils suffered a 3-0 defeat by Pep Guardiola’s side, with Rashford heading to the high-end Manchester nightspot Chinawhite to celebrate his 26th birthday.
The party had finished at 3.30am but it is not clear if Rashford had stayed until then.
Ten Hag addressed the matter back in October, saying: ‘I spoke with him about it. It’s unacceptable. He apologised and that is it. For us it’s an internal matter.’
The Dutchman added: ‘He [Rashford] is very motivated to put things right. He’s totally with us.
‘He has made a mistake but that doesn’t say he’s not fitting in. I see him every day in training, what he’s doing, I know.’
On the pitch, the 26-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, netting just four times in all competitions, compared to his 30-goal mark last term.
Despite that, he has scored in two of his last three appearances for the Red Devils, including their recent 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag’s side are currently preparing for their trip to Newport on Sunday which could prove tricky in the uncomfortable surroundings of Rodney Parade.
After finishing bottom of their Champions League group and getting eliminated from the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup provides the only genuine opportunity to claim silverware this season.
Mail Sport contacted both Manchester United and Rashford’s camp for comment.
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.
