Erik ten Hag talks to Manchester United players about body language after Marcus Rashford criticism

Erik ten Hag has spoken to his players about the importance of positive body language after forward Marcus Rashford was criticised by former England international Alan Shearer.

The BBC pundit questioned Rashford's on-pitch demeanour during United's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night and it is an issue that has been raised at other times this season, with the 26-year-old's struggle for form leading to him cutting an occasionally sullen figure.

Body language is also an issue that has been occupying the mind of Pep Guardiola recently, the man who will be in the opposite dugout on derby day at the Etihad on Sunday. The Manchester City boss has raised the importance of positive body language throughout his squad a lot of late and even criticised Erling Haaland for not showing the right approach in the first half of the win over Everton earlier this month.

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Ten Hag also values positive body language and revealed he had spoken to the team and to the individual players about the issue and the benefits of displaying it, particularly when it comes to the psychology of a game.

"Of course it is important because it gives an expression," he said. "We talk about this issue with the players and team and also as individuals, of what is the impact on the crowd but also on opponents, because football is such a psychological game, win or lose.

"You have to take everything you can and use it to your advantage, so when your body language can be positive, and your expression, then you use it for the good of your own team."

Shearer was a BBC pundit for coverage of