‘Fans were very positive’ – Ten Hag breaks silence on Rashford row with fan

Manchester United's English striker #10 Marcus Rashford warms up prior to the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Erik ten Hag said every Manchester United fan at Old Trafford on Wednesday was “very positive” about the future as he played down a video showing one hurling abuse at Marcus Rashford.

The incident occurred while the players were warming up to face Newcastle. Rashford was filmed reacting to something a fan said in the stands.

Rashford could be seen looking back at the supporter and briefly walking away from the rest of the substitutes before Christian Eriksen and Antony sent him back.

Although we don’t know what was said, it’s pretty clear that not every United fan was “very positive” last night if one felt the need to get under the skin of one of our own players.

Ten Hag said he had seen the clip that went viral on social media on Wednesday night but decided to play down the incident. The last thing he wants to do now is create tensions with the fans, so it’s probably a wise move, especially when the fans have backed him through thick and thin.

“I have seen [the video],” said Ten Hag, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “I felt yesterday, there were 68,000 fans, 3,000 from Newcastle, maybe they were negative, but the 68,000 fans were very positive about the mood and the spirit and the fight and the ambience in the stadium. That shows the strong bond between the team and the fans.”

Rashford has spoken out about the abuse he has received this season, and he’s sensitive to the matter. I don’t think abusing him does any good but I don’t think his reaction will do him any favours at the same time.

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