Erik ten Hag and Marcus Rashford barely speaking as Man Utd staff fear relationship beyond repair after Belfast bender
ERIK TEN HAG AND Marcus Rashford are barely on speaking terms as the pressure mounts on the Manchester United boss.
Ten Hag was furious with Rashford when he went out partying until the early hours in Belfast last month when he was due in for training later that day.
The manager felt the player also tried to deceive him by claiming the incident had happened 24 hours earlier than it did.
Rashford called in sick on January 26th just 48 hours before United were due to play Newport County in the FA Cup.
But it later emerged that the 26-year-old had been on a tequila session and not got to bed until the early hours of that morning before getting a private plane back to Manchester.
Ten Hag was furious and hauled Rashford in for an explanation.
While he missed the Newport match he was restored to the team for the following game away at Wolves scoring in the opening minutes.
But the relationship between manager and player has not repaired despite Ten Hag claiming it had been put behind them.
Ten Hag had already had to discipline Rashford this season after he celebrated his birthday in Manchester city centre last October immediately after getting thumped 3-0 at home in the derby against Pep Guardiola’s treble winners.
Staff are now concerned that the relationship between manager and player has broken down irrevocably as Rashford continues to struggle to find the form that lead him to career best figures of 30 goals last season.
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In the absence of the injured Rasmus Hojlund, Ten Hag was forced to play Rashford as a number nine on Saturday in the 1-0 defeat to Fulham.
The England international struggled against a side who had previously won only once away from home in the league this season.
He had just two shots, one of which was on target and only six touches in the opposition box.
Ten Hag has little choice but to stick with him up front for the trip to face Nottingham Forest in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup at the City Ground.
ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
WEDNESDAY JAN 24
9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.
4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.
5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
THURSDAY JAN 25
1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.
2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.
4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.
9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
FRIDAY JAN 26
00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.
2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.
2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.
5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.
7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.
8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
SUNDAY JAN 28
Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
MONDAY JAN 29
8.45am: Rashford arrives for training.
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