Marcus Rashford was notably absent from Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Fulham, a day after manager Erik ten Hag criticized the player for attending a nightclub party following a defeat to Manchester City.

Manchester United explained Rashford’s absence, attributing it to a significant leg injury sustained during training and the player’s failure to pass a fitness test before the match.

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Ten Hag voiced his displeasure over Rashford’s decision to attend a pre-arranged birthday party at a nightclub shortly after the 3-0 loss to City. Rashford celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday.

Regarding the incident, Ten Hag stated, “I spoke with him about it. It’s unacceptable, I told him, he apologized and that’s it. For the rest, it’s an internal matter.” He maintained that the matter is internal when questioned about whether Rashford had been fined for his actions.

Rashford was on the bench for the League Cup game against Newcastle earlier in the week, with Ten Hag explaining that the decision was due to squad rotation rather than punishment.

In the past, Rashford was benched for a match against Wolverhampton due to timekeeping issues, but Ten Hag rejected the idea that the player isn’t aligned with the team’s expectations. He expressed confidence in Rashford’s commitment and emphasized his dedication to the team’s success.

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Despite Rashford’s absence, Manchester United continues to strive for success in the Premier League. Rashford has only scored one goal for United this season, a significant drop compared to his 30-goal performance last season.