Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was missing for the Premier League match against Fulham on Saturday, a day after manager Erik ten Hag criticised the player’s decision to go to a nightclub party after a derby loss to Manchester City.

United said Rashford’s absence was down to a heavy knock to his leg in training and that he failed a fitness test before the game.

Ten Hag had been unhappy with Rashford going to a nightclub for a pre-arranged birthday party hours after the 0-3 defeat to City on Sunday. Rashford turned 26 on Tuesday.

“I spoke with him about it,” Ten Hag said on Friday. “It’s unacceptable, I told him, he apologised and that’s it.

“For the rest, it’s an internal matter.”

Rashford was among the substitutes in the 3-0 loss to Newcastle in the League Cup on Wednesday, with Ten Hag saying that was due to rotation rather than punishment.

“Your suggestion is not right,” he said. “He’s fitting in, he’s very motivated to put things right.”