Sky Sports' Redknapp was among those to question Ten Hag's decision to omit Rashford from the starting XI, theorising that there were more factors at play behind the scenes.

"It feels like something has gone untoward," Redknapp said. "I don't know the details. But you don't drop a player that has scored two in midweek and against Southampton.

"I'd be nervous to say he is back but he is showing signs of the Rashford from two years ago. It feels like something's happened maybe this week, I don't know the manager's frustration. It is unusual for a manager to out players for their lifestyle.

"Sir Alex Ferguson would have never done it, whereas Ten Hag has done it on a few occasions. It is not always beneficial to the players."

Ten Hag then snapped back and responded to Redknapp and those agreeing with the former Liverpool midfielder by saying: "The speculation from such pundits is crazy.

"Already, the speculation, some pundits, that's crazy. I would almost say as a person you are not okay when you bring such speculation if you don't know what's on."

He had earlier refuted the suggestion that there was an ulterior motive to dropping Rashford, insisting that it was just part of regular rotation, even though the England man scored twice in midweek and was taken off after an hour against Barnsley.

"It was not difficult (to leave Rashford out) because we need to rotate," Ten Hag said. "Alejandro Garnacho also needs starts to get better and get more power. Therefore, we rotate.

"We have seen he (Garnacho) has a lot of end product, he has scored so many goals and assists. He has only started one time this season."