Manchester United player Marcus Rashford has accepted the consequences for missing the FA Cup match against Newport.

Manchester United provided an update on the disciplinary action taken against Marcus Rashford following his absence from the team’s recent FA Cup win over Newport County. The club initially cited illness as the reason for Rashford’s absence, despite photographs surfacing of the player in Belfast earlier in the week. However, in a statement released on Monday, United clarified that Rashford had taken responsibility for his actions, and the matter had been addressed as an internal disciplinary issue, now considered closed. Consequently, Rashford will be available for selection for United’s upcoming match against Wolves at Molineux on Thursday night.

This incident with Rashford underlines the ongoing challenges that manager Erik ten Hag has faced since taking over at the helm of the club in 2022. The manager previously mentioned the existence of a “no good culture” upon his arrival and has had to address disciplinary issues during his tenure at Old Trafford. The departure of Jadon Sancho, who returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan after a falling out with ten Hag, further exemplifies the challenges faced in maintaining a cohesive team dynamic.

Notably, this is not the first time Rashford has found himself in a disciplinary situation. In the past year, ten Hag had also dropped Rashford from the starting XI against Wolves in December 2022 due to the player’s late arrival at a team meeting. Additionally, Rashford had to apologize earlier in the season to ten Hag after hosting a birthday party shortly after United’s loss to local rivals Manchester City. These incidents highlight the ongoing effort to maintain a professional and disciplined environment within the club.

Furthermore, ten Hag has expressed the difficulty of signing a striker during the January transfer window due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, particularly in light of Anthony Martial’s injury. As a result, Rashford has been identified as a potential option for the team in the striker position. With clear acknowledgment of the challenges and gaps within the squad, ten Hag and the club continue to navigate the complexities of team management and player conduct.

The ongoing developments and challenges within Manchester United underscore the dynamic nature of professional football and the complexities faced by both players and management in striving for success and cohesion on and off the pitch.