“Very good for the team. It will strengthen their belief” - Erik ten Hag on Manchester United star’s form
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Marcus Rashford's recent form will do wonders for the team. The English forward has scored three goals and set up one more in his last two games for the Red Devils.
The 26-year-old rose through the ranks at Old Trafford before breaking into the starting XI in the 2015-16 season. He finished the campaign with eight goals from 18 appearances and announced himself on the world stage.
The Premier League giants have a history of nurturing young talents and Rashford's emergence added more stars to the club's rich heritage. The English striker went from strength to strength over the years, proving himself under different managers. He established himself as an indispensable part of Manchester United's starting XI.
Rashford delivered the best season of his career in Erik ten Hag's first campaign, plundering 30 goals and setting up 11 more from 56 games across competitions. However, he failed to build on that rise last season and was heavily criticized for his form.
The Englishman managed just eight goals and six assists from 43 games across competitions for the Red Devils and was a shadow of his former self. He started the FA Cup final against Manchester City from the bench and was also linked with an exit over the summer. However, Rashford persevered over the summer and has found his scoring boots back.
Speaking to the press, as cited by acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ten Hag insisted that Rashford's goalscoring form will give him belief in himself.
“Very good, of course, your striker starting to score when the season is very young. Strikers need that belief. Very good for the team. It will strengthen their belief,” said Ten Hag.
Rashford has started all six games for Manchester United across competitions this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
Marcus Rashford remains crucial to Manchester United's quest for success
Manchester United added legendary striker Ruud van Nistelroy to Erik ten Hag's backroom staff over the summer and that move may have already paid dividends. The Dutchman is apparently working closely with Marcus Rashford and the results are for all to see.
While the Red Devils are blessed with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo in attack, the Englishman remains crucial to their plans. Rashford has the ability to be world-class on his day and can decide games on his own.
Manchester United are working to get back to their heydays under new minority owners INEOS, who have made multiple changes at the club. The Englishman's good form could also be the result of their work behind the scenes.