6 hours ago
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Hansi Flick decided not to start Marcus Rashford after the Barcelona forward was late for training.
Rashford was scheduled to start Barcelona's La Liga home match against Getafe on Sunday, but his manager disclosed that he opted to bench the England star. Just days after netting a stunning double against Newcastle in the Champions League, Rashford seemed to be getting his career back on track in Spain.
However, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Rashford was late for the team's morning meeting before the training camp ahead of Sunday's match. Flick reportedly made it clear to Rashford that tardiness would not be tolerated and gave the 27-year-old a similar punishment previously handed to Jules Kounde, Inaki Pena, and Raphinha for breaking the same rule.
Ferran Torres was instead named in the starting line-up, with Rashford among the substitutes. His replacement netted two first-half goals as Barcelona took a 2-0 lead.
Rashford was brought on after the break, replacing Raphinha at half-time.
He then set up a third goal, breaking through the Gatafe defence and cutting the ball back for Dani Olmo to score and secure a 3-0 victory.
This isn't the first time that Rashford has been benched due to lateness.
During his outstanding 2022-23 season at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, the Dutchman dropped him from the win against Wolves.
Rashford confessed that he was benched due to oversleeping, but redeemed himself by coming off the bench to net the decisive goal.
Erik ten Hag, known for his strict discipline, referred to the incident as an "internal disciplinary issue," choosing to keep Rashford on the sidelines until half-time, when he was brought in to secure the victory.
Post-match, Rashford commented: "Yeah, obviously, it is the team rules and I think it is a mistake that can happen.
"I am obviously disappointed not to play, but I understand the decision.
"I am happy that we have managed to win the game anyway. I think we can draw a line under it and move on."
When questioned about his tardiness by TNT, he further explained: "I was a little bit late for a meeting. I slept in, overslept. It can happen."
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