Erik ten Hag gives discipline warning to Manchester United squad after Marcus Rashford controversy

Erik ten Hag has reiterated the need for his Manchester United players to be disciplined both on and off the pitch after the controversy surrounding Marcus Rashford over the past week.

Rashford was left at home for United’s FA Cup tie with Newport County on Sunday after missing the last training session before the game due to illness on Friday.

However, Rashford had travelled to Belfast during the week and it emerged he had been out partying on Thursday night and Friday morning rather than the Wednesday night as United had been told.

Rashford has been fined two weeks’ wages of £650,000 and Ten Hag now considers the matter closed, with the striker available for the Thursday night Premier League fixture against Wolves.

However, Ten Hag was sure to reiterate the need for discipline in his squad ahead of the match.

What Ten Hag said

“So he has taken responsibility and for the rest, it’s an internal matter. Case closed,” Ten Hag said in his pre-match press conference.

“It’s nothing to do with [a lack of respect] but as I said, let’s focus on the game, let’s move on. The statement is clear and we have to focus on winning football games.

“Nothing to do with [discipline] with me but in football, you need discipline and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch. There is a line between, when every player, every professional knows this, what is required.

“We have to focus on winning football games and that’s well that matters and every top professional knows what is required.”