Erik ten Hag ends Marcus Rashford nightclub fiasco with two-word verdict

Erik ten Hag has said it's "case closed" after Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's nightclub incident in Belfast, but warned that his players must maintain their discipline if they are to achieve their goals for the season.

The 26-year-old was pictured partying late into the night on Thursday, hours before failing to report for training ahead of United's FA Cup fourth round tie with Newport County.

Rashford is understood to have been fined two weeks wages, equating to roughly £650,000, after calling in sick and was left out of United's squad for the Game in Wales.

United released a statement on Monday saying the matter had been dealt with and Ten Hag reiterated that stance in his latest pre-match press conference.

"So he has taken responsibility and for the rest, it's an internal matter. Case closed," Ten Hag said.

The Dutchman continued: "It's nothing to do with [a lack of respect] but as I said, let's focus on the game, let's move on. The statement is clear and we have to focus on winning football games.

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"Nothing to do with [discipline] with me but in Football, you need discipline and that is on the pitch but also off the pitch. There is a line between, when every player, every professional knows this, what is required.

"We have to focus on winning football games and that's well that matters and every top professional knows what is required."

United are struggling to build on a promising first season under Ten Hag - one that saw the club end a six-year wait for a trophy with success in the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils have crashed out of Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group and are languishing in ninth in the Premier League after losing nine of their first 21 Games.

Rashford has personally been well off the pace, failing to capitalise on a career-best 2022/23 campaign that saw him score 30 goals in all competitions. Rashford has scored just four goals - all in the Premier League - and has been rotated out of the side at times in favour of the emerging Alejandro Garnacho.

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