Marcus Rashford has been immediately forgiven by Erik ten Hag, with the Manchester United forward named in the starting XI to face Wolves on Thursday.
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Rashford went on 12-hour tequila sessionMissed training and Newport FA Cup clashBut immediately reinstated to face WolvesWHAT HAPPENED?
The England forward had reported ill for training after partying in Belfast until the early hours of Wednesday morning last week, where he went on a reported tequila-fuelled drinking session lasting 12 hours. Rashford missed United's FA Cup fourth round win over Newport as a result, with the club stating that they now consider the case closed. That statement appears to be true after Ten Hag named the 26-year-old to start at Molineux on Thursday. Rashford replaces Antony in the starting XI.
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The decision to not only name Rashford in the squad but to start him against Wolves is certainly a surprising one from Ten Hag, who has thus far dealt with an iron fist when faced with disciplinary issues within the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo was shipped to Saudi Arabia after publicly denigrating the Dutchman just over a year ago, while Jadon Sancho was frozen out and then loaned back to Borussia Dortmund this window following his public feud with Ten Hag.
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No such punishments were handed down to Rashford, though, who was likely still given a fine for his ill discipline. Incidentally, it was against Wolves last season when his act of negligence last came to the fore, when Ten Hag was forced to bench the Englishman for being late to a team meeting.
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Ten Hag's selection perhaps speaks to the importance of Thursday's clash, where a win could see United jump two places into seventh. They would be level on points with sixth-placed West Ham should the Hammers fail to pick up points against Bournemouth at the same time.