Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has denied there being anything more than “rotation” to Marcus Rashford’s omission from the starting lineup against Crystal Palace.

After a slow start to the season, Rashford began to hit form with three goals in two games against Southampton and Barnsley. But Ten Hag opted to bring Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee into the lineup for the trip to Palace, moving Rashford and Antony to the bench.

United were unable to make first half pressure count at Selhurst Park, seeing a number of chances go begging. Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund did appear in the second half but a goal never came and it felt like a case of two points dropped rather than a point gained at the final whistle.

Ten Hag’s decision on Rashford was quickly questioned by fans and pundits alike. On Sky Sports, Jamie Redknapp mused whether something had happened behind the scenes that led to it.

“Already there is speculation. Pundits. As a person you are not okay if you bring such speculation when you don’t know [the situation],” Ten Hag told reporters after the final whistle.

“This had nothing to do with [the pre-match press conference]. I am very happy with Marcus. His defending and his offensive duties. He’s scoring at the moment. It was just about rotation.”

During the pre-match press conference, Ten Hag had questioned Rashford’s lifestyle as a reason behind a well-publicised drop in form last season.

“Probably he needed some help, by backing him for instance,” the boss said last week. “At the end of the day, he has to do it by himself. He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism he will perform because he is a class player.

“I think he always knew, and every player knows, because when your lifestyle is not right, you can’t perform. You don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.”

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