sport news MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Marcus Rashford's 12-hour Belfast bender has tarnished ... trends now

Marcus Rashford may have penned a powerful and heartfelt article on the Players’ Tribune last week underlining his commitment to United, but he still has some way to go to win over some of his teammates.

In a 2,000-word piece titled Who I really am, Manchester-born Rashford admitted to making mistakes but challenged anyone who doubts his devotion to United.

However, Confidential understands that Rashford’s status as a senior figure in the dressing-room has been tarnished by his infamous tequila bender in Belfast last month which led to him missing training and United’s FA Cup tie at Newport.

Erik ten Hag wasn’t the only one to take a dim view of the 26-year-old’s actions, with some teammates also feeling let down. 

Let’s hope Rashford’s declaration of love for United and more goals like Sunday’s thumping effort in the Manchester derby will help to restore harmony.

FOREST FOOLED BY UND FAN SCAM

Nottingham Forest are investigating how a United fan gained entry into last week’s FA Cup match by posing as a steward, Confidential can reveal.

The supporter bragged on social media how they had successfully ‘jibbed’ – played – the system to get into the City Ground having failed to land a ticket in the away end.

In the post was a screenshot from Forest’s ticket office that he had tickets in the home end cancelled as a result of being identified as a season ticket/member at United.

A video then shows the fan, wearing a hi-vis jacket, telling another steward he ‘needs to use the toilet’ before being ushered into the stadium. The video then shows the fan walking into an empty City Ground before saying: ‘Yes the boys!’ An internal investigation at Forest is ongoing.

FERGIE'S A DERBY NO-SHOW

United say there was nothing untoward about Sir Alex Ferguson’s absence from the Manchester derby on Sunday. Sir Alex was due to be at the Etihad for the 192nd meeting between the two clubs. However, the former United manager, who is a regular in the stands at away games, was a no-show. Maybe Ferguson feared what City were going to do to United.

MAINOO MOVES UP 

Kobbie Mainoo has established himself as a first-team regular this season, but United’s rising star has only moved into the senior dressing-room at Carrington in the last few weeks.

Mainoo has continued to shower and change with the Under-21s at the training ground despite making 18 appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side this campaign.

There is a pecking order in place behind the scenes at Carrington and once players like Donny van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri moved out in the January transfer window, 18-year-old Mainoo was invited in.

Alejandro Garnacho has been in the first-team dressing-room for about a year, but Omari Forson continues to change with the Under-21s and Habeeb Ogunneye – on the bench for United’s last two games against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest – is still with the Under-18s.

MAGUIRE ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

It must feel like when it rains it pours for Erik ten Hag on the injury front, with Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans the latest to show signs of wear and tear in the derby defeat.

But there is good news regarding Harry Maguire. Confidential understands the 30-year-old is pushing through the pain barrier to try and make a return to the side after missing the last two matches through injury.

United’s defence has been badly affected by injury this season and Maguire’s return would bring about a timely boost with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrrell Malacia long-term absentees on the left side of the back-line. Willy Kambwala has been promoted from the academy to make up the numbers in recent weeks.

Maguire is to be monitored as the week progresses, and while there is no firm timeframe yet on when he is hoping to make a return, it is understood the issue is not a serious one.

UTD AREN'T DESPERATE FOR DAN 

It seems only a matter of time before Dan Ashworth becomes United’s new director of football.

Ashworth is currently on gardening leave at Newcastle after indicating that he wants to quit Tyneside for Old Trafford, and United refused point-blank to pay between £10-20million in compensation.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says it’s ‘absurd’ to expect the 52-year-old to kick his heels for the next 18 months, but Ashworth is expected to be in position much sooner than that to lead the club’s recruitment this summer.

United are happy to bide their time while Newcastle have to continue paying Ashworth’s salary and choose his successor. Steve Nickson is filling the role at the moment and is set to get the job on a permanent basis.

TEN HAG'S TON OF TINKERING 

As well as being Erik ten Hag's 100th game in charge, the Manchester derby was a sobering reminder of the chasm separating City from United and the constant chop and change of the Dutchman’s team selections.

In his first 99 matches as United manager, Ten Hag had fielded 92 different starting XIs, and injuries dictated his team selection again on Sunday with nine senior players out injured.

The starting XI at the Etihad saw Bruno Fernandes deployed as a false nine, with Marcus Rashford restored to his preferred spot on the left wing.

It was the 36th different combination Ten Hag has picked in 38 matches in all competitions this season alone. The back-four featuring Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof was one of the 23 different iterations he has selected this term.

Over his 100 games in charge, Ten Hag has started the same XI in more than two games only once – in the 2-0 win against Wolves on May 13 followed by

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