Marcus Rashford's role at Manchester United has come back into sharp focus again following the Red Devils 0-0 weekend Premier League draw at Crystal Palace.
On the back of two wins, across EPL and EFL Cup action, United were shut out at Palace, despite creating a host of chances to win the game at Selhurst Park.
Erik ten Hag made the bold call to start Rashford on the bench in South London with the England international brought on for the final 30 minutes.
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The decision not to start Rashford raised a few eyebrows among the away fans, on the back of Rashford scoring three goals across those two wins, to end his long wait for a club goal.
Ten Hag stated in his post-match press conference there was no deeper reason behind the matter other than a simple squad rotation due to the busy schedule.
The Dutch coach firmly rejected suggestions of a return to a tense relationship between him and Rashford, which has been an issue in the past, but the rumours continue to circulate.
BBC pundit and former England star Gary Lineker offered his view on the situation and he is unconvinced by ten Hag's explanation.
"I think the interesting story from that one is that he left Rashford out. Obviously, he scored the previous week, and Ten Hag talked about the tomato ketchup [analogy], once he goes and starts scoring", he said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
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"Then he scores two in midweek, admittedly against lower league opposition in Barnsley. Then he's left out. Now it looks like, reading between the lines, it might be a disciplinary issue because he kind of mooted that in his press conference, saying Marcus has got to be professional."
Lineker's point was backed up by Premier League record goal scorer, and fellow panelist Alan Shearer, who supported after his goal at Southampton.
"Why else would you leave him out? When he was criticised, and I was one of them, for his performances. But then, he gets a goal last weekend, and gets another couple in midweek", he added
"Why would you even contemplate leaving him out? So my guess is – and it's a guess – that it has to be something different."
United are back in action on September 26 as their UEFA Europa League campaign gets underway at home to FC Twente.
