“Has to do more…” – Patrick Vieira agrees with Erik ten Hag on controversial Man United decision

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira have agreed with Erik ten Hag on a controversial decision he made during Manchester United’s draw against Crystal Palace.

The Reds put in one of their most commanding performances of the season away at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Erik ten Hag’s side couldn’t find the back of the net and had to settle for a draw.

This result leaves United with just seven points from their first five Premier League games—an underwhelming start, despite flashes of potential.

Marcus Rashford, who had scored three goals in his previous two matches, was surprisingly left on the bench, a decision that raised eyebrows among fans.

However, Alejandro Garnacho, also in good form, started in his place, with Ten Hag clarifying before the match that it was simply part of team rotation.

Vieira comments on Ten Hag benching Rashford

While comments from Jamie Redknapp, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer – suggesting that the change must have been due to disciplinary issues – were classless, it is entirely fair to debate the decision from Ten Hag.

Rashford is well-known for being a confidence player and it seemed like he might have been turning an important corner in recent weeks.

However, Patrick Vieira is of the opinion that it was the correct decision from the United manager and that Rashford’s cameo from the bench almost proved Ten Hag right.

When asked on NBC Sports if Ten Hag made a mistake by dropping Rashford, Vieira replied: “No. I think the manager looking at the week of training will help him make his decision.

“I think Rashford should ask himself why he doesn’t start at Manchester United. And I think he has to do more because the manager, the fans, the club, they expect more from him.

“And I think, when he came on today, I felt that he was disappointed and that didn’t help him. I think when a player like him comes on from the bench he has to make a point.

“Making a point is showing that the manager was wrong not to start him. But when you look at his performance today, the manager was right not to start him.”

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