Erik ten Hag comments highlight his controversial Manchester United selection policy

Erik ten Hag has already made it clear he has a few favourites at Manchester United. The comments he made at his press conference only emphasised that. While the Dutch manager was keen to instil a healthy competition for places in his first-team squad, it is also clear that certain players have been deemed integral to his plans going forward.

Bruno Fernandes has played in 75 out of the 79 competitive matches under Ten Hag so far and Marcus Rashford has played in 71 of them.

Even this season, Andre Onana has played every second available to him and Fernandes has only had one night off, against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. Rashford sits fourth for most minutes played, with Diogo Dalot just ahead of him, though that has mainly been down to the lack of other fit full-backs.

ALSO READ: Rashford 'not happy' with United form

TEAM NEWS: United without five players vs Luton

Fernandes is the club captain and was never going to be dropped, but the same can't be said for Rashford, who has underperformed all season and has been fortunate to keep his place in the side.

The England international reached a genuine world-class peak during the previous campaign, proving to be the catalyst for a side that lacked any other standout player in attack. This season, he has been just as present in the United side but has just one goal to show for it.

Rashford's place in the side is in part helped by the fact there is no standout option to replace him in the forward line, though Ten Hag also believes that he could play himself back into form if he has one good game in front of goal.

"I think he's not happy, we're not happy," Ten Hag said of Rashford's form yesterday. "He has high expectations for himself and, of course, in this moment