Man Utd release statement explaining Marcus Rashford absence for Newport County FA Cup clash amid Belfast clubbing controversy

Rashford missed training with United on Friday as coach Erik ten Hag said he was ill. However, the forward was reportedly seen in a nightclub in Belfast during the week. The England international was kept out of fthe squad for the FA Cup trip to Newport and United explained why in a statement.

The statement from the Old Trafford club released to the media on Sunday explained: "Marcus Rashford not well enough to be in the squad for Newport following illness; he has stayed at Carrington to train as he recovers."

Rashford could be hit with disciplinary action as a result of his midweek trip to the Belfast club as he was reportedly forced to delay his trip back to Manchester because he fell ill. This is not Rashford's first breach this season, too, as Ten Hag criticised his "unacceptable" behaviour after going out clubbing following his team's defeat against Manchester City.

United will be confident of getting the better of the League Two team in the fourth round of the FA Cup despite Rashford's absence. The attacker will hope he can get back into Ten Hag's good books before long after another week of grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons.