Getting the most out of players is probably the most important job for any coach. And Erik ten Hag failed to do that for Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
Remember, Rashford actually scored 17 goals in the 2022-2023 season, Ten Hag's first campaign at Old Trafford. That helped Rashford regain his position in the England squad. However, last season, the striker returned to unstable form. At EURO 2024, a Man United player was not called up by coach Gareth Southgate to participate.
Sources told ESPN that Ten Hag was urged by senior figures at the club last season to show a softer side towards players. The Dutchman's straightforward comments about Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Raphael Varane have caused problems for those players. And he has also been publicly critical of Rashford.
In fact, Rashford has caused himself trouble many times, including a birthday party in Manchester after a 0-3 loss to Manchester City or a night out in Belfast that forced him to miss practice. However, Ten Hag's uncompromising public comments about the England striker have not helped to ease the situation.
And although Rashford has shown some signs of regaining form this season, Ten Hag has been critical of his defensive ability. The former Ajax boss has been quick to leave Rashford out of the starting line-up after scoring three goals in two games.
Ten Hag later pointed out the "turnaround" when he replaced Rashford early in the second half of the 3-3 Europa League draw with Porto. Before leaving the pitch, the striker scored one goal and assisted another at Estadio via Dragao.
"We changed players because it will be another difficult match, a big match. Therefore, we need players to be ready, healthy and fresh.
The whole team must quickly prepare for the match against Aston Villa. They have another day to recover and we have to play away, so Man United want to have fresh players on the pitch" - Ten Hag explained about the decision to take Rashford off.
Rashford may be an undyciplinary player, but he has the ability and Ten Hag has done little to help the 26-year-old escape the decline.
