Man Utd boss Ten Hag gives two-word verdict on Marcus Rashford as he breaks silence following Belfast bender

ERIK TEN HAG has responded with a two-word verdict on the controversy surrounding Marcus Rashford following his Belfast bender.

The England international, 26, was axed from Erik ten Hag’s squad for their FA Cup clash with Newport on Sunday following a 12-hour session in Northern Ireland’s capital – after which he called in sick for training.

Manchester United consider the Marcus Rashford issue ‘closed’Getty

Sky Sports

Erik ten Hag has responded to the controversy surrounding Rashford[/caption]

Rashford was not visible as he drove into training on WednesdayPP.

Eamonn and James Clarke

Rashford arrived at Carrington in a Lamborghini which has reflective privacy glass[/caption]

A club statement has since confirmed Rashford has “taken responsibility” for his actions and that they consider the matter to be “closed”.

It came after he was fined two weeks wages – which comes to £650,000.

Man Utd boss Ten Hag confirmed the incident was an “internal matter” ahead of their 4-2 win over Newport.

But at Wednesday’s press conference he responded for the first time since The Sun exclusively revealed the extent of Rashford’s Belfast night out.

Ten Hag said: “So he has taken responsibility and for the rest it’s an internal matter. Case closed.

“As I said: case closed.”

When quizzed on whether Rashford lacks respect, he then added: “It’s nothing to do with that 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.”

Ten Hag was then pressed on the drop off in Rashford’s form, to which he said: “You saw in the last two Premier League games, two goals and an assist.

“There is a strong bond developing between Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund and we want to continue that process.”

The Man Utd boss also hit back at claims there is a lack of discipline in the squad.

He said: “Nothing to do with that 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 pro knows this, what is required.

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

Following the debacle and despite his poor form, Rashford has been linked with a shock move to Paris Saint-Germain.

He has featured in 20 Premier League games this season, scoring four goals and assisting two more.

It is a huge departure from his 2022/23 campaign when he scored 30 goals in 56 games.

Club legend Gary Neville urged Rashford to be careful and pick his timing better following his Belfast blowout.

Meanwhile, former England striker Alan Shearer begged the forward not to “waste his talent”.

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