Getting the best out of players is perhaps the most important job for any manager. And Erik ten Hag failed to do that with Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
It should be noted that Rashford actually scored 17 goals in the 2022-23 season, Ten Hag's first campaign at Old Trafford. That helped Rashford regain his place in the England squad. However, last season, the striker returned to inconsistent form. At EURO 2024, the Man United player was not called up by coach Gareth Southgate.
Sources have told ESPN that Ten Hag was urged by senior figures at the club last season to show a softer side when dealing with players. The Dutchman's outspoken comments about Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Raphael Varane caused problems with those players. He has also been openly critical of Rashford.
In fact, Rashford has gotten himself into trouble on several occasions, including a birthday party in Manchester after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and a night out in Belfast that saw him miss training. However, Ten Hag’s uncompromising public comments about the England striker have done little to ease the situation.
And although Rashford has shown some signs of getting back to form this season, Ten Hag has been critical of his defensive performance. The former Ajax boss was quick to leave Rashford out of the starting line-up after scoring three goals in two games.
Ten Hag then pointed to the “rotation” when he replaced Rashford early in the second half of the 3-3 Europa League draw with Porto. Before leaving the pitch, the striker had scored one goal and assisted another at the Estadio do Dragao.
"We made changes because it's going to be another tough game, a big game. So we need the players to be ready, fit and fresh.
"The team has to prepare quickly for the game against Aston Villa. They have an extra day to recover and we have to play away, so Man United want to have fresh players on the pitch" - Ten Hag explained the decision to replace Rashford.
Rashford may be a player lacking discipline, but he has ability and Ten Hag has done little to help the 26-year-old out of his slump.
