Manchester United's star forward Marcus Rashford found himself in hot water after a reported 12-hour tequila binge in Belfast, leading to disciplinary action by the team's manager, Erik ten Hag.
According to reports from The Times, ten Hag enforced Rashford to train in solitude upon his return to Carrington and excluded him from the squad facing Newport County in the FA Cup due to what was initially cited as "illness" but later acknowledged as an "internal issue."
Rashford's night out not only resulted in a substantial fine, rumored to be around £650,000, but also attracted advice from football luminaries such as Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, and Rio Ferdinand, as noted by The Sun.
The incident stirred discontent among Rashford's teammates, who were reportedly "angry" with his conduct, especially given the team's focus on clinching the FA Cup, the sole trophy within their grasp this season.
Despite Manchester United's victory over Newport County, ten Hag was pressed for comments on Rashford's behavior but chose to keep discussions around the match. When probed about Rashford's honesty regarding his nightclub escapade, ten Hag replied, "It's an internal matter, and I will deal with it," steering the conversation back to the team's performance on the field.
Manchester United later confirmed that Rashford had "taken responsibility for his actions," deeming the disciplinary matter resolved. This isn't Rashford's first lapse this season, as ten Hag previously criticized his "unacceptable" behavior following a defeat against Manchester City and a late arrival at a team meeting.
The incident casts a shadow over Rashford's contributions to the team, raising questions about discipline and professionalism within the ranks. As Manchester United prepares for their upcoming Premier League match against Wolves, the focus shifts back to their on-field endeavors, with hopes of closing the gap in the league standings.
