RIK ‘N ROLL

ERIK TEN HAG warned Marcus Rashford to prepare for talks over his dismal form.

That’s after the Manchester United striker’s body language was slammed in a dreadful display against Newcastle.

Rashford barely touched the ball – and failed to have a single shot – as United crashed to a 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Red Devils were second best in all areas of the field.

But they were particularly poor up top, with Anthony Martial and Rashford both failing to keep the press on Toon’s marauding defenders.

Martial even had an on-field shouting match with Ten Hag as he responded to criticism from his boss.

And both men were marched off the field on the hour mark moments after United fell behind to an Anthony Gordon strike.

But it was Rashford who came under fire the most, with his display leaving pundits and fans annoyed.

Many pointed out his repeated failure to track back, with Gordon and Tino Livramento causing United constant trouble down Newcastle’s left flank.

And Ten Hag vowed to have talks behind the scenes over the striker’s form, telling TNT Sports: “I will talk to him and not the media.

 “All over, you have to say Newcastle deserved to win…”

Erik ten Hag believes his Man Utd side showed too little too late following their 1-0 defeat at St. James’ Park…

 “I know this issue’s coming up and Marcus is investing a lot. We support him and he will return to his form.

“I repeat myself: he works hard and he’s investing a lot, he will get back, he will recover and he gets all our support.

“I don’t go into individual performances.”

TNT Sports pundit Jemaine Jenas certainly wasn’t impressed with Rashford.

He said: “I think it was poor, I think his body language was shocking throughout the game, I really do.

“There have been too many moments like this and throwing his arms about.

“I think he is sending a message to his manager almost like ‘I don’t want to play out here’.

“He is looking at [Alejandro] Garnacho on the left, and it’s criminal putting your team under that type of pressure by not doing your duties as a wide man and tracking back.

“It’s clear as well, [Tino] Livramento knows that he does not want to go with him. He’s never there and it’s time and time again. 

“He has no interest in tracking him back and [Harry] Maguire and [Luke] Shaw are constantly coming to the rescue due to the ineptitude of the wide players.”

And United legend Paul Scholes said Rashford is “causing more harm than good.”

Seeing the England international appearing unimpressed after being subbed off, Scholes said: “What is he surprised about? I don’t get it.

“What is he thinking he should still be on the pitch for? He was causing the team more harm than good.

Speaking to Premier League productions, he added: “Marcus last year was brilliant and he’s got ability, there is no doubt about that.

“But when you decide to walk back like was, and he comes off and behaves like that, I do not think it’s good for the team.

“And he’s one of the most experienced players now. He’s a player that players look up to. [Kobbie] Mainoo looks up to him. Garnacho looks up to him.”

Speaking about United’s performance as a whole, Scholes vented: “Rubbish. They’re a poor football team at this minute, aren’t they?

“Too many lazy players on the football team – you can’t get away with that. Going to these places, the first thing you do is work hard.

“You can see the joy that Newcastle are getting down both sides and feel sorry for the full backs.” – The Sun.