Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag throws his support behind Marcus Rashford after a difficult 2023-24 campaign for the forward.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is ‘100% confident’ when it comes to Marcus Rashford‘s ability to overcome a difficult 2023-24 campaign.
Rashford was one of the outstanding players in European football during the 2022-23 season, as he scored 30 goals and registered 10 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions.
However, the 26-year-old struggled last term, only managing eight goals and five assists in 43 appearances.
There has been speculation surrounding the attacker’s future his summer, but he is expected to stay at Old Trafford, with suggestions of interest from Paris Saint-Germain thought to be wide of the mark.
Rashford was left out of the England squad for Euro 2024 and therefore joined Man United for the start of pre-season training, lining up against Rosenborg in the team’s first friendly of the summer.
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Ten Hag throws support behind Rashford
The Red Devils academy product is with the squad in the United States, meanwhile, and he is set to start Saturday’s contest with Arsenal.
When questioned on Rashford during a press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said that he has full confidence when it comes to the forward overcoming a tough season.
“I am confident and 100% believe he can do what he did two years ago. He can do it,” he told reporters.
“The reason Ruud [van Nistelrooy] is here is clear, he can help the strikers, but he is much more than this. With Rashford he can only prove himself.”
Rashford signed a lucrative contract at Old Trafford off the back of his excellent 2022-23 season, with his terms due to run until the summer of 2028.
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Ten Hag calls Man United job “a great project”
Ten Hag also said that ‘everything has been left behind’ from last season, with the Dutchman now focusing on enjoying a successful 2024-25 campaign.
The manager’s job was called into question last term, but he managed to lead the team to FA Cup glory and was ultimately kept in his role by INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“I did what I did all my career. I believed in myself and finally I got the reward. We are now in a new season, we left everything behind,” he added.
“It’s a great project. I never think if I’m in a stong or weak position. I want to collaborate and work together. I can’t do this alone. I’m sure when we have the right vision, which we have, we will have even more success.”
Man United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, but they qualified for the group stage of the 2024-25 Europa League due to their FA Cup triumph.