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.
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2024-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Emily's expecting even more in '25
ENGLAND'S record points scorer Emily Scarratt is convinced 2025 is going to break new ground for women's rugby in this country.
LUKE: TRASH TALK IS JUST RUBBISH
WORLD CHAMPION Luke Humphries planted his standard at the summit of Alexandra Palace and sent out a warning to Peter 'Snakebite' Wright: \"Your trash talk won't work on me.\"
'Insecure' Elvis feared for future as Beatlemania was always on his mind
ELVIS Presley was all shook up and feared his music career would end when Beatlemania hit America 60 years ago.
Time to roll back the ‘harmful' nanny state
BRITAIN needs to roll back the nanny state and give its citizens more freedom to manage their own health and finances, an independent think tank has suggested.
Rapid nationalisation for failing train firms
BOSSES of failing train operators have been warned they could be fast-tracked for nationalisation.
Life after cancer: 'I am lucky to be here, but now I'm ready to move on'
DESPITE all of her career success Sarah Beeny reveals she is hugely proud that her four sons have formed a successful indie rock band.
growers AI to help cut global waste
RED SPIDER mites can devastate vegetable plants, as this image shows, but help is at hand thanks to artificial intelligence.
Monty brings blooming good news
PERENNIAL green-fingered favourite Monty Don shows no signs of wilting - and will host Gardeners' World for at least another two years.
Reeves: VAT on school fees will raise standards
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has defended the introduction of VAT on school fees by insisting it will lead to \"more teachers\" and \"higher standards\" in the state sector.
Homes face £45 bill hike to clear bad energy debt
PLANS to charge every household up to £45 extra on their energy bills, to help write off £1.29billion in customer debt are being considered by the Government.
