Erik ten Hag is '100 per cent' on Marcus Rashford verdict
- Marcus Rasford scored just eight goals for Man Utd last season
- Erik ten Hag confident forward can rediscover best form
- Ruud van Nistelrooy expected to coach strikers
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has "100 per cent belief" in Marcus Rashford, who endured an alarming drop in form last season that culminated in missing out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad.
Rashford managed only eight goals in 2023/24, compared to a career-high 30 the year before. There were reports in January of a disciplinary meeting after the player missed training following a night out in Belfast and was subsequently dropped for an FA Cup tie.
A tabloid report earlier this summer even claimed that United were ready to sell Rashford, but Ten Hag has given his backing to the 26-year-old and expects the appointment of new assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy to have a positive impact on all United's forwards.
"The reason Ruud is here is clear, he can help the strikers, but he is much more than this," said Ten Hag. "With Rashford he can only prove himself. He is capable, he scores so many goals already at a relatively young age, he is capable of it. I'm confident, 100 per cent belief, he can do the same as few years ago."
Rashford has scored 131 goals in 402 United appearances since making his senior breakthrough as an 18-year-old in 2016. As well as getting 30 in 2022/23, he surpassed 20 in all competitions in successive seasons in 2019/20 and 2020/21. A disappointing four-goal return in 2021/22 was the result of both recovering from a shoulder injury and lacking consistency in his role amid a difficult period for the club, without a permanent manager for more than half the campaign.
There is healthy competition for attacking places this coming season, with Joshua Zirkzee signed from Bologna to complement Rasmus Hojlund, and Jadon Sancho back in the fold following clear the air talks with Ten Hag. Alejandro Garnacho is also equally at home on either flank.
Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in just years for United two decades ago and has returned to the club following an impressive start to his coaching career at PSV Eindhoven.
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