Marcus Rashford has been dropped for Manchester United's trip to Wolves for "disciplinary" reasons.
Erik ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match interview that the 25-year-old has been left out of the starting XI because of internal disciplinary actions, with Alejandro Garnacho stepping up into the side. It is the only change from United's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Ten Hag refused to go into detail about the reasons for his absence, simply explaining to BT Sport's pundits that it was an "internal disciplinary". Luke Shaw kept his place at centre-back alongside Raphael Varane, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire on the bench. Lisandro Martinez is still unavailable after the World Cup, meaning Shaw will play in that position for the second successive game after impressing against Forest.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen will set-up as the two central midfielders, with Bruno Fernandes just ahead of them. But it is out wide where there is the one change as Rashford comes out of the XI. The reason behind the disciplinary issue is unknown but Rashford's exodus from the side could come at a cost given his excellent run of form.
The 25-year-old has netted 10 goals in 21 matches in all competitions for United this season and is currently their top scorer with Anthony Martial their next highest on five. Rashford added to his tally with a neat finish against Forest in midweek after striking against Burnley in the Carabao Cup. But Rashford will have to watch from the start on the bench instead of on the pitch.
Reacting to the news from Ten Hag's interview, Paul Scholes told BT Sport: "It’s difficult to know the truth really, internal disciplinary, you think lateness. But I love him, the way he’s honest, he’s got the lad in the form of his life who will be a big part today he’d be coming into this game expecting to score goals and win the game. To stand by his guns, we’ll see if it’s a wise decision."
Rio Ferdinand added: "You think back to when we played, if the manager showed weakness, it’s like the Cristiano Ronaldo situation. We can all have our opinion but the most important people are those in that changing room.
"If they’re responding to these decisions with respect, step out of line you’re punished immediately that can only be positive for this dressing room. Over the last few years, this changing room has needed that hardness, discipline, you see it in the game at times there’s certain times in the game."
However, Scholes did praise that Ten Hag for how he deals with situations regarding with disciplinary issues. He continued: "I love the way he deals with it. Marcus Rashford today would be the first name in the team but he’s obviously done something that’s upset him, the rest of the team, Marcus has paid for it."
