Marcus Rashford is at a crossroads in his career and Erik ten Hag’s appointment has offered the 24-year-old the perfect chance to reclaim his place in the Manchester United side.
Rashford has endured a troubling 12 months, with two serious injuries coupled with a disastrous end to last summer’s European Championships. He’s now hoping to get his career back on track, with the winger having just one year remaining on his contract at the club.
According to Goal, Rashford has been encouraged by Ten Hag’s decision to keep him at the club and make him an integral part of his plans. Despite rumours surrounding the Wythenshawe-born forward, he has no intentions of leaving United this summer.
Ten Hag’s appointment was received well by supporters and as per the report, Rashford sought out former United star Daley Blind and current team-mate Donny van de Beek to gauge an idea of what the 53-year-old is like.
Furthermore, it’s stated that Rashford now feels that he needs to be man-managed in order to extract the best out of him. That level is quite high, with Rashford scoring 20+ goals in consecutive seasons before the most recent one. He also reached double figures in assists in both of those campaigns.
As per the report, Rashford is fully focused on turning his form around at United and believes that a good start to the new season will see him regain his place in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up.
Rashford was a mainstay in the Three Lions squad for the best part of five years but has recently been dropped, with fellow United winger Jadon Sancho also overlooked.
Rashford is said to have held face-to-face talks with Southgate, who recently admitted that both Rashford and Sancho have a long way back to get into the squad.
Read more: Lionel Messi impressed by Man Utd youngster as Erik ten Hag lays out plan
“We’ve only got one with us (Maguire). They’ve got a lot to do to get back in the squad,” Southgate said when quizzed about United player featuring for England, according to The Athletic.
“Well, look, I think the lower the load then of course the less likely for injuries and the hope that players can be that little bit sharper but there’s no way of knowing.
“Some players are at their best when they’re in a rhythm of playing and you talk to some of our lads now and they want to play every game because that’s how they feel they get to their best level.
“Others need the breaks, they need longer recovery between the matches to be at their best.”
SN’s verdict…
As mentioned above, Rashford has just one year remaining on his contract and it would be in United’s best interest to tie him down to a long-term deal.
Rashford is a frightening prospect at his best and one poor season doesn’t change that. It must also be taken into consideration that in the past two years, Rashford has sustained two back fractures and ligament damage in his ankle and shoulder.
For any athlete in any sport, those injuries could be career-ending. They weren’t for Rashford and fans will now be desperate for him to find his feet under Ten Hag.
