Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has aligned his views with Erik ten Hag and encouraged Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to view recent off-the-field headlines as a wake-up call to rediscover his best form.
Rashford, 26, missed a training session at Carrington last month after being photographed while out and about in nightclubs during a scheduled trip to Belfast.
Following the incident, the forward was fined £650,000, equivalent to two weeks’ wages, and subsequently dropped from the United matchday squad for their FA Cup tie against Newport County. However, Rashford has since returned to the starting lineup and has scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances.
However, his overall total this season, five goals in 28 games, is significantly lower than the 30 he accumulated over 56 matches last campaign. Solskjaer, who knows Rashford well, has provided his thoughts on the events that have impacted his output this term, stating that the forward’s poor form is not Erik ten Hag’s fault but the player’s own responsibility.
The ex Manchester United striker and manager told Reuters: “Obviously I managed Marcus for three years and I know him. It’s not my job to go out and discuss performances, but last season he was fantastic and it’s about consistency in football.”
He also added: “Marcus and many others haven’t hit the heights this season. I’m sure he had a wake-up call last week and hopefully that will spur him on.”