Marcus Rashford shared a light-hearted tweet after he was dropped from Manchester United's starting line-up for Saturday's 1-0 win over Wolves for showing up late to a team meeting.
Erik ten Hag outlined that Rashford had been benched for the trip to Molineux due to a 'disciplinary' issue before the match - but the Dutchman didn't hesitate to introduce the in-form forward at the break with the game goalless. Rashford went on to plunder the winning goal to ensure United would head into 2023 in the top-four.
Rashford, 25, confirmed after his match-winning cameo that he had dropped to the bench after oversleeping on the morning of a team meeting.
When he was asked about his absence, the United academy graduate explained: "Yeah it’s team rules, I think it’s a mistake that can happen but disappointed not to play but I understand the decision. Ultimately, I’m happy we managed to win the game anyway so we can draw a line under it and move on.
"I was a little bit late for a meeting, I overslept, it can happen," he added.
The United striker would later make light of the incident in a tweet. "Better late than never," Rashford quipped along with a clock emoji. "Thanks to the away fans today, great energy as always let's keep this momentum going into 2023."
Rashford's stunning solo strike at Molineux was his 11th in all competitions this season. The England ace, who also starred for Gareth Southgate's side at the World Cup, has benefitted from a fresh start under Ten Hag - who was once again commended for adopting a tough stance.
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Ten Hag was lauded by Bruno Fernandes for restoring discipline to the club earlier this year, and two former Old Trafford favourites, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, were in firm agreement over Ten Hag's stance on Saturday.
Scholes told BT Sport: "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."
Ferdinand also praised Ten Hag's actions and compared his tough stance to the one he adopted during the Cristiano Ronaldo saga. He added: "Over the last few years, this changing room has needed that hardness, discipline, you see it in the game at times.
"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."
