ERIK TRIES TO MAKE HIS MARC BUT ONE RASH CALL WILL NOT SOLVE ISSUES

Garnacho can't prove Old Trafford boss right

- Harry Pratt

ERIK TEN HAG needed no Dutch courage to bench in-form Marcus Rashford in favour of Alejandro Garnacho yesterday.

Indeed, he claimed leaving him out was “not difficult” despite the Manchester United striker netting three times in the visitors’ two victories prior to this trip to Crystal Palace.

Yet it still seemed a mighty brave call from Ten Hag, if not utterly bonkers.

Certainly by the conclusion of this stalemate against the Eagles it raised further questions about the former Ajax coach’s man-management and tactical acumen.

Confidence is everything in football, right?

So why pull the rug from under resurgent Rashford’s feet just as he is finding them again in front of goal?

Maybe it was a test for the 26-year-old hitman – designed to see if he would react in positive fashion or sulk on the bench in South London.

After all, the relationship between the pair has not been smooth in the last 12 months. Twice last season Rashford crossed the line of acceptable behaviour.