The Red Devils boss dropped Marcus Rashford and batted away questions about Ronaldo.
In his post-match media conference at Molineux, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was brutal when asked to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. “I don’t talk about the past,” Ten Hag said, “let’s talk about the future.”
It was a short, sharp and necessary slapdown, and it suggests that the manager will not let up in his battle to impose his rule as a way of making United successful again. Ronaldo’s explosive television interview with Piers Morgan in November was a huge test of Ten Hag’s authority at Old Trafford; that the manager came through it on top is a sign that he has the strength of character needed for the job.
Just as crucially, Ten Hag knows when to forgive a transgressor. His decision to drop Marcus Rashford to the bench for the match at Wolves for being late to a team meeting was another clear signal that rules are for everyone, however big a name they are. But the decision to bring him on at half-time, with United’s attack struggling for inspiration, showed that Ten Hag will not let pride get in the way of the team’s needs. Knowing when to encourage, and when to criticise, is a crucial skill for any manager, in any field.
In Ten Hag, United have got someone better equipped in that area than some of his recent predecessors. And for Rashford, the value of being wide awake is now all too clear.
His alertness on the pitch was there for all to see at Molineux. Without him, United had lacked the necessary spark against opponents who look ready to scrap for every point in their fight for Premier League survival.
With 14 minutes left, the England forward cut inside from being out wide left, exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes, and then accelerated to leave behind Wolves’ defenders and slotted coolly past the goalkeeper into the net. Ten Hag was caught leaping into the air on the touchline, thrilled that his charge had kept the dark clouds away.
However not all went Rashford’s way as a second goal was ruled out for handball in the closing moments, besides an unnecessary booking being made for kicking the ball away. Yet on the bright side the numbers do indeed suggest this is a player definitely on the way back to his best.
Rashford has 11 club goals for the season, and has now scored three times in three games since returning from the World Cup; United have won five matches in a row. If there were any doubts that a player who struggled under Ralf Rangnick’s management last season is thriving now, they have surely been dispelled.
“We’re striving to be the best we can be,” Rashford said. “I think for a team that’s developing, you have to be able to win games in that fashion. I’m really pleased we managed to do it.”