Aoba Tanaka 
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has found himself at the center of controversy after being spotted in nightspots in Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The England international, who reported ill and subsequently missed training on Friday, did not feature in Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport.
In response to the incident, Manchester United issued a statement confirming that Rashford has “taken responsibility for his actions.” The matter has been addressed as an internal disciplinary issue, which the club now considers closed. Rashford, aged 26, has already resumed training and is expected to be available for selection in the upcoming Premier League match against Wolves on Thursday.
The statement read, “This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.” Manager Erik ten Hag, along with football director John Murtough and interim chief executive Patrick Stewart, played pivotal roles in addressing the situation.
Rashford’s recent nightclub appearance isn’t the first instance of disciplinary concern this season. In November, he was dropped from the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat by Newcastle due to disciplinary reasons. On that occasion, Ten Hag expressed displeasure at Rashford celebrating his birthday in a high-profile Manchester nightclub shortly after a disappointing match against Manchester City.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville commented on the situation, emphasizing the importance of timing and choices in a player’s behavior. He stated, “Marcus himself knows, he’s an experienced player now. We’re not talking about a young lad, but he’s done it a couple of times in the past few months.”
Rashford’s disciplinary issues have raised questions about his professionalism, with some suggesting that he needs to reflect on his choices to avoid affecting his career adversely. As Manchester United prepares for upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on Rashford to demonstrate a renewed focus on his football responsibilities and uphold the values expected of a player of his caliber.
