Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag did not hold back in his criticism of Sky Sports commentator Jamie Redknapp, calling the pundit’s comments “not acceptable” after Redknapp suggested that Marcus Rashford had been dropped from the starting lineup as a form of punishment. The controversy arose after Rashford was left on the bench during United’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace, a decision that surprised many given the striker’s recent form. Rashford had started the first six games of the season and had netted three goals in his previous two matches, which made his absence from the starting XI a major talking point.
Before the match, Ten Hag explained that the decision to bench Rashford was purely a matter of rotation. He emphasized that with the heavy fixture schedule, it was essential to rotate players and give others an opportunity to showcase their talents. The Dutchman highlighted the strong performances of wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, both of whom have impressed in recent outings. Ten Hag’s pre-match comments indicated that his decision was based on form and the need to manage the squad, but Redknapp’s remarks during Sky’s coverage suggested otherwise. The pundit speculated that Rashford’s exclusion was a result of off-field issues, implying that the striker had been punished for a lack of discipline.
During the build-up to the game, Redknapp commented, “It seems like something has gone wrong… Clearly, something has occurred.” This statement drew a sharp response from Ten Hag after the match, as the United manager appeared to address Redknapp’s comments directly. In his post-match news conference, Ten Hag expressed his frustration with what he viewed as baseless speculation. “Already, the conjecture, certain commentators, that is absurd,” Ten Hag remarked. He went on to criticize Redknapp for making assumptions without having all the facts, stating, “I would almost argue that as a human, you are not good bringing up such supposition if you are unaware of what is going on.”
Ten Hag made it clear that Rashford’s absence from the starting lineup had nothing to do with punishment or any off-field issues. “It is merely rotation,” he reiterated. “We have many games to cover, and we have more than 11 starting players, but we must give all of them opportunities to perform.” Ten Hag stressed the importance of squad rotation, particularly in a season filled with numerous fixtures. He pointed out that, over time, it would become clear which players were performing at the highest level, but rotation was necessary to keep everyone fresh and competitive.
The United manager was also quick to praise Rashford, emphasizing that the forward was in good form both defensively and offensively. “I am extremely pleased with Marcus in all aspects, including his defending and attacking play; he scores at this time, so he is doing well,” Ten Hag said. He made it clear that Rashford’s benching was simply part of a tactical rotation and had nothing to do with any dissatisfaction with the player’s performances or attitude.
Ten Hag also took the opportunity to highlight the contributions of other players in the squad, noting that Amad Diallo was playing “extremely well” and that Garnacho had been productive in almost all of his appearances, save for the match against Liverpool. “We need to play them as well,” Ten Hag stated, underscoring his commitment to giving opportunities to players who were performing at a high level.
This is not the first time Ten Hag has taken issue with commentators’ assessments of Rashford. Just three weeks prior, he had called out Alan Shearer, another prominent pundit, for what he described as a “dumb” critique of the United striker on BBC’s Match of the Day. The ongoing tension between Ten Hag and certain football commentators highlights the intense scrutiny managers face, particularly when it comes to handling key players like Rashford, whose form and fitness are constantly in the spotlight.
In the match itself, United created numerous chances in the first half, coming close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions. The Red Devils struck the crossbar twice and forced Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson into making six crucial saves. Henderson’s heroics kept Palace in the game, and as the match wore on, the home side grew in confidence, creating some of the best opportunities in the second half.
Reflecting on the game, Ten Hag admitted that his side should have been more clinical in front of goal. “We played an excellent game,” he said. “The only thing I can fault is that we were not clinical enough in the box, or decisive enough; we should have scored.” He acknowledged that United’s inability to convert their chances left Crystal Palace with a lifeline, particularly in the first half, when the visitors dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities.
As the second half progressed, the game became more evenly contested, with both teams having chances to snatch a winner. “It is fair to say the second half was more even, and both teams had chances,” Ten Hag remarked. Ultimately, United’s failure to capitalize on their early dominance meant they had to settle for a point, a result that only added to the frustration surrounding the Rashford debate.
In the aftermath of the match, Ten Hag’s decision to rotate his squad continues to spark debate, but the manager remains firm in his belief that such decisions are necessary for the long-term success of the team. For Ten Hag, the focus remains on managing his players effectively, despite the noise from outside commentators.