One thing Erik ten Hag cannot be accused of is failing to support his Manchester United players. While Jadon Sancho’s recent departure might suggest otherwise, Ten Hag has consistently defended his squad, even in the face of criticism. The latest example came midweek when the United boss was confronted with Alan Shearer’s critique of Marcus Rashford.
During a discussion with Gary Lineker, Shearer took issue with the notion that Rashford’s frequent offside positions were excusable because he was at least making runs. “Yeah, but he’s not a youngster any more,” Shearer retorted. “He has to understand the position and look across the pitch when you can see the whole of it, you shouldn’t be offside then.”
Ten Hag, however, wasn’t having it. He dismissed Shearer’s analysis as “stupid,” defending Rashford’s efforts and performance. “Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning, if we are losing,” Ten Hag said. He added that he had been pleased with Rashford’s pre-season form and recent performances, specifically against Fulham and Brighton, and saw no merit in the pundit’s remarks.
Despite this public show of support, Ten Hag’s backing of Rashford didn’t translate into an improved performance during United’s 3-0 defeat. As the match slipped away, Ten Hag turned to his bench in a bid to spark a comeback, opting to substitute Alejandro Garnacho for Amad. The decision was met with loud boos from the Old Trafford crowd, who clearly felt that Rashford, not Garnacho, should have been the one to make way.
The international break now offers Ten Hag a crucial period to reflect and figure out how to get the best out of Rashford. The boos from the crowd underscore the mounting pressure on both the player and the manager to find a solution. If United are to avoid similar scenarios in the future, Ten Hag will need to find a way to reignite Rashford’s form and ensure that his unwavering support is justified by performances on the pitch.