‘I overslept’ – Match winner Marcus Rashford was benched by Erik ten Hag after arriving late for the squad meeting as the Manchester United striker explains a ‘disciplinary issue ‘before Wolves win

Marcus Rashford was benched for Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Wolves after sleeping in and arriving late for a team meeting.

The striker, who eventually came off the bench and scored the winning goal, was a surprise omission from Erik ten Hag’s starting XI for the win at Molineux.

Before the match, Ten Hag explained that Rashford had been dropped due to an “internal discipline” matter.

Ten Hag did not elaborate, other than stating that it was “our rules” that meant he missed selection.

Speaking after the game, Rashford explained: “Obviously those are the team rules. I made a mistake. It can happen. I’m obviously disappointed not to play but I understand the decision and it turns out that we still managed to win. We draw a line under it and continue. I was a little late for a meeting. I slept too much but it can happen.

“I think I’m in a good place. I’m just happy with the way we’re progressing. In the past, we could have easily lost this game or drawn it for good. They put a lot of pressure on us but we resisted well and David (de Gea) made a huge save late in the game.

“It’s difficult to come back in terms of emotions. Everyone’s at different levels and it’s been important for us to stick together and help each other through this tough time for guys who haven’t won the World Cup. This is a time when we need each other very much.

“It’s going to be difficult like any other season, but we have to push ourselves and try to get as high as possible in the standings. A lot of teams are doing well this year and are very consistent. We have to be on top of our game. shape to try to go further.

Asked if Rashford’s goals were the perfect response to his retirement, Ten Hag said: “I think it happens a lot, but that’s fine. Coming in, he was brilliant, lively, he scored a goal and that’s the right reaction.

“Of course (that’s the end of the matter). Everyone has to play by the rules. That’s the right answer.

“We saw today that it’s not an easy game, you have to fight for the points. The first half was not good for our organization and also for our presence. The second half was better. Fred gave us good energy in the game, holding balls, winning second balls.

He added: “I wasn’t happy with the performance in the first half. We need to be more clinical and we know Rashy can score goals and that’s what he did.

“We’re a team, it’s hard to beat and that’s because we attack with 11 and defend with 11. When you’re off the pitch and you miss the standards and the rules, that also affects the pitch. .”

Defender Luke Shaw backed Ten Hag in his decision to bench Rashford and admitted discipline had been ignored in the past.

Shaw said: “I think at a top club like this (there has to be discipline). People can’t do what they want. Maybe that’s been part of the problem in the past, people get away with stupid little things.

“The manager takes all of that into consideration and we’ve seen that if you don’t live up to the high standards you won’t play.”