Featured Image Credit: Getty Images & Premier League
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Newcastle United, Premier League
Daniel Marland
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Newcastle United, Premier League
Marcus Rashford's immediate reaction to coming off in the 61st minute during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United has got people talking.
Anthony Gordon's second-half effort was enough to seal victory for Eddie Howe's side inside a bouncing St. James' Park on Saturday evening.
The Magpies were relentless throughout, limiting United to just one shot on target.
United's frontline looked toothless throughout and Ten Hag was spotted exchanging words with Anthony Martial in the first half.
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Ten Hag decided to change things up after Gordon opened the scoring. He brought Martial and Rashford off for Rasmus Hojlund and Antony just past the hour mark, which came as a shock to Rashford.
The 26-year-old has struggled for form this season after an electric first season under Ten Hag.
Last term, Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions as the Red Devils finished third and won the Carabao Cup.
It's a completely different story this season. Rashford has scored two goals, with a penalty in last week's 3-0 win over Everton his first since September.
Often a game-winner for his boyhood side, Rashford could only watch on from the bench as a young attack trio of Antony, Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho failed to breach the Newcastle backline.
Rashford's perceived lack of effort in games has been criticised too, with supporters picking up on a moment shortly before he came off.
When contesting with Tino Livramento for the ball, Rashford appeared to pull away and let the young full-back dart forward on the attack.
Rashford lined up on the right rather than his preferred left-hand side and TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas speculated if his lack of enthusiasm was a dig at Ten Hag.
He said: "I think he is sending a message to his manager almost like 'I don’t want to play out here'. He is looking at [Alejandro] Garnacho on the left, and it’s criminal putting your team under that type of pressure by not doing your duties as a wide man and tracking back.
"It’s clear as well, [Tino] Livramento knows that he does not want to go with him. He’s never there and it’s time and time again.
"He has no interest in tracking him back and [Harry] Maguire and [Luke] Shaw are constantly coming to the rescue due to the ineptitude of the wide players."