Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is hopeful Marcus Rashford can rediscover his best form after a dismal season that saw him left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad
Erik ten Hag has challenged Marcus Rashford to prove he can rediscover the form that saw him plunder a career-best 30 goals.
Rashford endured the worst season of his career last term, managing just eight goals, his loss of form seeing him miss out on a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
It was a far cry from the season before, Ten Hag’s first in charge, when Rashford, 26, scored 30 goals in all competitions, earning a lucrative new contract worth £300,000-a-week.
But on the eve of the first game of United’s US tour against Arsenal in Los Angeles, Ten Hag backed Rashford to get back to his best form and show last season was a one-off.
“Rashford can only improve himself,” said Ten Hag. “He is capable, he has scored so many goals, and at a relatively young age, so he is capable of it.
“I’m confident and have 100 percent belief he can do the same as he did two years ago.”
United slumped to their worst Premier League finish last season, ending in eighth spot, but ended the campaign on a high, by beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup and claim a Europa League place.
Despite that win, Ten Hag was left in limbo for two-and-a-half weeks by the United hierarchy, who considered potential replacements, before deciding to stick with the 54-year-old Dutchman.
Reflecting on that period of uncertainty, Ten Hag said: “We are now in a new season, we left everything behind and we are looking forward.
“It’s a great project, the process is nice, we go with ups and downs, but now we are very energised, good dynamic, good spirit, looking forward, we want to work and we want to win.
“I never think if I’m in a strong position or weak position, but when you take over a dressing room that didn’t win one trophy in six years, you have to prove [yourself].
“But I don’t think I am strong or weak. I want to collaborate and I can’t do this on my own – players, staff, leadership, everyone – I’m sure we will have even more success.
“We proved we can beat the best team [Manchester City] not only one time, but we did it twice. A lot of other games were very close to them, but our challenge is to be more consistent.”
United have added striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Leny Yoro to the squad, but Ten Hag said he needs more signings this summer to bolster the depth of his squad.
“We already have two very good buys, so when everyone is fit we have a team who can beat anyone,” said Ten Hag.
“But the squad depth means we have to catch up, because we had injuries last season, we are vulnerable and we have to avoid this by getting fewer injuries.
“Secondly, our squad has to be that good. The quality in terms of what we have in depth, we have to catch up on that, but even more because this season will be the survival of the fittest.”
“We are looking to reinforce in all of the positions and we are looking for a plan in our squad to reassure ourselves that we are always occupied [in terms of cover].”
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