According to manager Erik ten Hag, Marcus Rashford’s goal for Manchester United against Wolves on Saturday provided the “right answer” to his benching.
Rashford was given a bench assignment for the trip to Molineux due to a “internal disciplinary” infraction, despite the fact that he was England’s joint-top goal scorer at the World Cup and scored two goals in a row for United upon his return to club football.
But after a lackluster first half, Ten Hag substituted Rashford. This move paid off as the forward scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute to put Manchester United in the top four of the Premier League going into 2023.
The 25-year-old forward explained after the game that he was left off the starting lineup because he overslept and arrived late to a team meeting, and Ten Hag was pleased with the forward’s response.
Erik Ten Hag on Rashford
“It’s good after the decision,” Ten Hag told BT Sport. “Rashford came in.
“He was bright, he was lively and he scored a goal to give a good reaction. Everyone has to adhere to the rules and if you react like this, it is the right answer.”
Ten Hag was forced to make a change at halftime due to United’s poor performance in the first 45 minutes, and Fred was added shortly after.
In addition to the substitutions, Ten Hag believes that his team’s improved attitude in the second half helped them to win, saying: “We were not that good in the first half.
“In my opinion, the second half was better. Fred was winning second balls and linking play when he came on.
“In the first half, you analyse the game but sometimes things do not work as expected. Wolves did not create many chances and we did but you have to be sharp.
“I was not happy at half time and I told them with this attitude they will not win this game and everyone had to give 10 per cent more.”
