A SKY SPORTS pundit reckons “obviously something’s happened” after Marcus Rashford was left out of Manchester United’s starting XI at Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils forward looked to have turned a corner after scoring three goals in his side’s last two matches.
Rashford netted in last weekend’s 3-0 win at Southampton.
And he bagged a brace in the midweek 7-0 Carabao Cup victory against Barnsley.
But Rashford did not get the opportunity to keep his fine form going at Crystal Palace.
The left-winger was named on the bench for the clash at Selhurst Park, with Alejandro Garnacho instead getting a start.
And Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp claimed before kick-off that “something happened” between Rashford and boss Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman revealed in this week’s press conference that Rashford’s poor performances last season were down to his lifestyle after the ace scored just eight times in 43 apppearances.
Ten Hag said: “Probably he needed some help, by backing him for instance. At the end of the day, he has to do it by himself.
“He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism he will perform because he is a class player.
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“I think he always knew, and every player knows, because when your lifestyle is not right, you can’t perform.
“You don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.”
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Redknapp took those words to mean that a clash had potentially ensued between Ten Hag and Rashford ahead of the Palace game, leading to his appearance on the bench.
Redknapp said live on Sky Sports: “It feels like something has gone untoward. You don’t drop a player that’s scored two in midweek and Southampton.
“I’d be nervous to say he’s back but he’s certainly showing signs of the energy a few years ago.
“It feels something has happened this week, the manager’s frustration…
“It’s unusual for a manager to come out and out a player by talking about their lifestyle.
“Something over the last year hasn’t been right with Rashford. If you want to live right and play right you’ve got to be at it all the time.
Man Utd ratings vs Crystal Palace as Andre Onana saves the day for wasteful Red Devils
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.
Erik ten Hag shocked fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.
And the Red Devils failed to make a breakthrough – dropping two more points.
Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Man Utd player ratings…
ANDRE ONANA – 8/10
Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.
And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.
Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.
Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.
Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.
An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.
Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.
Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.
Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6
Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.
Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.
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MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6
Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.
MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6
United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.
RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6
Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos.
“There’s no doubting his talent but when the manager talks about not being professional, you can’t have that, it’s not acceptable.
“There’s obviously something that’s happened, but for Rashford to have that labelled against him is not ideal either.”
Speaking before kick-off, Ten Hag dismissed the notion of a bust-up with Rashford and explained he had simply been rotated out of the team to rest.
Ten Hag said: “We need to rotate, no one can play all the games.
“Garnacho has had end product and hasn’t started. He needs starts, rotation is good.
“Is it difficult to bench Rashford? No because you need to rotate.
“Nobody can play every game and Garnacho also needs to start to continue to improve.”
Rashford came off the bench during the second half.
