Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained by Marcus Rashford is missing from Saturday's game at Fulham.
Ten Hag this week called his striker's behaviour "unacceptable" for attending a birthday party just hours after United were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City last Sunday. The manager said: Yes, I am aware of it, I spoke with him about it. It's unacceptable. I told him. He apologised and that's it. For the rest, it's an internal matter."
Asked if Rashford does not have the mentality his manager demands, Ten Hag defended his player: "Your suggestion is not right. He is very motivated to put things right. I know how much effort he is putting in. He is totally with us.
"He makes a mistake but it doesn’t say he is not fitting in. I see every day with the training what he is doing, I know. So he makes one mistake but also off the pitch what he is doing, how he lives and I am sure he is doing everything right to help the team and to perform and to let us win."
Rashford, who has been under-fire for his miserable form this season, is now missing from the confirmed matchday squad for Saturday lunchtime's game at Craven Cottage. It remains unknown if Rashford was punished but he did travel with the squad to London.
Explaining Rashford's absence, Ten Hag told TNT Sports before the game that the striker is injured after receiving a heavy knock to his leg during the final training session. He underwent a fitness test on Saturday morning which he failed.
Asked if Rashford would have played against Fulham if fit, Ten Hag said: "Yes. I have said everything about it."
