Gareth Southgate on how Marcus Rashford has improved under Erik ten Hag
Gareth Southgate has praised Marcus Rashford's improvements in front of goal over the last season with Manchester United.
Rashford enjoyed a career-best 2022/23 season with Man Utd, scoring 30 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils for the first time. Thanks to goalscoring feats the 25-year-old won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and earned himself a place in the Europa League team of the season.
Speaking to the press about the improvements he's seen in Rashford's game, England manager Southgate was keen to pinpoint the forward's newly found ruthlessness.
"The obvious thing [that's improved] is the goals," Southgate explained.
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"I think when he has had chances this season that you expect him to score as the season has gone on. Maybe in previous seasons that was a little bit less of a certainty.
"I think, in working with Erik [ten Hag], he has had to work a bit differently without the ball. There's been a bit more onus on that as a team. I would say the goal tally is big progress for him and something he will be pleased about.
"At the moment I still think he's better from the left than as a nine but he's definitely made progress as a nine this year and had a bigger impact."
Rashford came off the bench for England in their comfortable 4-0 win over Malta on Friday night, but is expected to feature from the start against North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday.
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