Marcus Rashford made a triumphant return to Manchester United’s starting lineup, orchestrated by manager Erik ten Hag, as he netted the opening goal in their Premier League clash against Wolves at Molineux. Executing a precise right-footed shot from 20 yards within the first five minutes, Rashford swiftly propelled United into the lead, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.
His absence in United’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Newport the previous weekend due to illness, labeled as an ‘internal matter’ by Ten Hag, raised eyebrows. However, the club confirmed the resolution of the matter, allowing Rashford to make a significant impact on the pitch against Wolves.
In a departure from his customary head-pointing celebration, Rashford expressed his jubilation by sliding to his knees in front of the away end, warmly embraced by his teammates. The 25-year-old’s emotions, evident in this celebration, could be attributed to the relief following what proved to be a challenging week for him.
Adding to the narrative, Rashford’s midweek visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the team’s scheduled day off, took an unexpected turn when he was photographed enjoying a night out. Reports from The Athletic suggested that Rashford repeated this venture on Thursday evening, leading to his absence from Friday morning’s training session due to illness. Furthermore, the outlet disclosed that Rashford and his agent engaged in a meeting with Ten Hag and United’s football director, John Murtough, on Monday morning.
United responded to the situation by releasing a club statement, acknowledging Rashford’s return to training and his eligibility for the Wolves clash. The statement emphasized Rashford taking responsibility for his actions, framing the entire incident as an internal disciplinary matter, now deemed closed by the club. This sequence of events adds layers to Rashford’s goal-scoring comeback, contributing to the intricate narrative surrounding his recent challenges and the resolution thereof.