Patrick Vieira has hit out at Marcus Rashford’s negative body language following Manchester United’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace and believes Erik ten Hag’s decision to drop the forward was proven right.
Rashford had been expected to continue his run in United’s starting XI after scoring a superb second for the Red Devils in their previous victory away to Southampton.
The 26-year-old also scored twice in United’s thumping 7-0 win over Barnsley in the week but was named among the substitutes versus Palace, with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo selected in support of Joshua Zirkzee at Selhurst Park.
Ten Hag had publicly criticised Rashford’s lack of professionalism last season in the build-up to the match, though insisted the decision to drop the England international was ‘tactical’ and for rotation purposes.
And while Rashford came off the bench in place of Zirkzee just past the hour-mark, he was unable to make the breakthrough as United dropped points for a third time in the Premier League this term.
Reflecting on the game on NBC Sports, ex-Arsenal captain Vieira said: ‘I think Palace will be quite happy with the point. When you’re looking at the game overall, United created the best number of chances.
‘To get a point against United, who are playing to finish in the top four… from Palace’s point of view, they can be pleased with that.
‘There’s a lack of consistency, a lack of killer instinct.
‘They created enough chances to score at least one goal and they didn’t so I think there is a lack of ruthlessness in the team, a lack of competitiveness, desire to score that goal.
‘They played some really good football, I think we all enjoyed watching them play, but at the end there is a lack of aggression in the opposition box to score that goal.’
Vieira felt Rashford looked ‘disappointed’ coming off the bench, which ‘didn’t help’ the attacker as the away team desperately searched for a winner in south London.
Asked whether Ten Hag’s decision to drop Rashford was a mistake, Vieira replied: ‘No, I think the manager [would have been] looking at the week of training and that would’ve helped to him to make a better 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 club expect more from him.
‘When he came on today I think he was disappointed and I think that didn’t help him.
‘When a player like him is coming from the bench, he has to make a point and making a point is showing that the manager was wrong not to start him.
‘And I think when you look at his performance today, I think the manager was right not to start him.’
According to Vieira, United remain some distance behind the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title this season.
‘I think you have to look at the investment that has been made by the club,’ the Frenchman continued.
‘When you look at the money they spent in the last three or four years, it’s quite a lot.
‘Of course, we expect United to be challenging for the title and I don’t think they will do it again this year. I think they are far behind City and Arsenal.’
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