Erik ten Hag looks set to hold talks with Marcus Rashford over his disappointing Manchester United form.
The England forward returned from a one-match European suspension that ruled him out of the chaotic midweek draw at Galatasaray in the Champions League, but delivered another largely anonymous display on Saturday night as the below-par Red Devils deservedly went down 1-0 to top-four rivals Newcastle at St James' Park.
Though certainly a long way from United's only poor performer on Tyneside, that latest struggle saw Rashford continue a worrying sequence that has seen him score just twice in 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
It is a far cry from the 26-year-old's top level and the halcyon days of last term, when he hit the 30-goal mark in all competitions including 17 in the Premier League.
However, United boss Ten Hag does not intend to discuss Rashford's sustained loss of form in the media, instead preferring to address it one-to-one with the popular Old Trafford academy graduate, whose frustration was evident on Saturday as he tossed away his gloves before he reached the bench having been substituted with half an hour still to play against Newcastle.
Asked why he thought the player was struggling, Ten Hag abruptly told TNT Sports: "I talk with him about that and not with the media."
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire came to the defence of his England colleague, insisting that Rashford retained the support of the United dressing room.
He said: "Marcus had an unbelievable season last season. This season, it hasn't clicked for him. He's working hard. Everyone in that dressing room knows what he's about."
