Manchester United fans have applauded Erik ten Hag while comparing him to iconic former boss Sir Alex Ferguson as the Premier League breaks for international fixtures.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag might have done his best impression of Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the international break – with Marcus Rashford staying behind.
Rashford will not link up with Gareth Southgate’s England squad with the club saying that their star striker sustained a knock during their FA Cup victory over Fulham.
With the 25-year-old sitting out Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, Red Devils fans were instantly reminded of Ferguson’s displeasure at letting his players head off to play for their countries – even if they were fully fit.
Following the news of Rashford’s withdrawal, one fan wrote on social media: “Erik has the Fergie side to him.”
A second fan said: “Classic Fergie influence at play here.” A third fan agreed: “Fergie showed Ten Hag the ways.”
A fourth said: “Well in Marcus, brilliant news.” A fifth then posted: “Some wonderful news to start the week. Marcus deserves a break, he’s looked exhausted the last few games.”
Speaking back in 2014, Nicky Butt said that although Ferguson never asked him to lie about an injury, he didn’t want him linking up with the Three Lions.
He said of the Scott: “He’d just say ‘You’ve got an England friendly coming up and you’re not going’. And that was that.
“At one stage there was nine of us and he would pull one or two of us out and let the other six go.”
However, back in 2005, the 13-time Premier League winning boss called rumours about him blocking international call-ups to competitive games as ‘nonsense’.
He said: “That’s nonsense. I never said that. People just think I’ve got something against England.”
Then added: “I have never had a problem with competitive games, but I will not risk my players in a friendly. I do not like the friendly internationals.”
Source: dailystar.co.uk
