After two consecutive victories, Manchester United’s brief but much-needed winning run came to an end with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Despite creating several promising opportunities in the first half, United’s attack failed to find the back of the net, leaving fans frustrated. While the lack of goals was disappointing, another surprising development stole the spotlight.

Erik Ten Hag made the unexpected decision to drop star striker Marcus Rashford from the starting lineup against the Eagles. This move raised eyebrows, as the winger had shown glimpses of his old form in the previous two matches.

Following this decision, a former footballer-turned-pundit weighed in with strong opinions on Ten Hag’s relationship with Rashford, sparking further debate among fans and analysts.

Jamie Redknapp criticizes Ten Hag for dropping Marcus Rashford

Former Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp commented on this surprising decision, stating that something must be amiss between Rashford and his manager. He further added that Sir Alex Ferguson would never have made such a move during his tenure.

Rashford, who is earning £300,000 per week at Old Trafford, has been under scrutiny lately, and this decision has only added to the speculation surrounding his relationship with Erik Ten Hag. According to Sky Sports (h/t Mirror), here is what he said:

“It feels like something has gone untoward, i don’t know the details. But you don’t drop a player that has scored two in midweek and against Southampton.

“I’d be nervous to say he is back but he is showing signs of the Rashford from two years ago. It feels like something’s happened maybe this week, I don’t know the manager’s frustration. It is unusual for a manager to out players for their lifestyle.

“Sir Alex Ferguson would have never done it, whereas Ten Hag has done it on a few occasions. It is not always beneficial to the players.”

Though Ten Hag may have had his reasons, his decision ultimately backfired for the team. It has become clear that despite the talent in United’s attacking lineup, they are still struggling to find the finishing touch.

When a player like Rashford shows signs of regaining form, it’s crucial to give him the necessary game time to build confidence and consistency. Dropping him at this stage could hinder his progress rather than help it.

As United prepare for their Europa League clash against Dutch side Twente, they will be looking to secure a much-needed victory to regain some confidence. Meanwhile, new recruits like Matthijs de Ligt have started to make their presence felt in England, though Luke Shaw remains absent from the squad’s training sessions.

Currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League, Ten Hag’s side must now focus on climbing the table quickly if they hope to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.