'I will deal with it' - Erik ten Hag gives ominous update on Marcus Rashford as Man Utd forward is omitted from Newport Clash after Belfast nightclub controversy

The Dutch manager bit his tongue when asked about Rashford's absence from the match against League Two side Newport. United released a statement saying that Rashford was ill and had stayed in Manchester to train. The striker, who is United's highest-paid player, missed Friday's training session with illness but it has since been revealed he was out in a Belfast nightclub until the early hours of Friday morning.

"He reported ill yet in the last few hours yesterday," Ten Hag told BBC Sport. "It's an internal matter. I deal with it. It's an internal matter."

The controversy comes just three months after Rashford was spotted at a nightclub hours after United's humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. And the incident has put another spotlight on the player's focus amid a dreadful season for the striker on an individual level and for his club.

Ten Hag will have to think carefully about how he punishes Rashford for his latest misdemeanour. The coach dropped Rashford from the starting line-up against Wolves last season after he reported late for a team meeting, although he brought him off the bench at half-time and he ended up winning the match. The Dutchman took a much tougher line against Jadon Sancho after the winger spoke out against the manager on social media, banishing him from the squad and eventually sending him out on loan to Borussia Dortmund. United are next in action away to Wolves in the Premier League on February 1.