Marcus Rashford is one of many players hoping for a fresh start under Erik ten Hag this season, with the 24-year-old becoming disillusioned with life at Manchester United in recent years.
Rashford fell out of favour under Ralf Rangnick last season and has an uphill battle to get back into the England setup, with manager Gareth Southgate leaving him out of the last three camps.
That has, however, allowed him to return early for pre-season and start working with his new manager at the earliest opportunity, with Ten Hag likely to see him as an integral part of the team.
Rashford is one of only three senior wingers at the club, and there have been no concrete rumours to suggest he will be sold. Furthermore, he has only 12 months remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford, with an impressive start to the season likely to earn him fresh terms.
Now, he has spoken out on his first week back in training and has hailed the ‘fresh tactics’ imposed by Ten Hag.
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“Yeah, 100 per cent,” he told the official Manchester United website when asked if Ten Hag’s arrival has boosted spirits.
“I think for me, it is just fresh ideas, fresh tactics and a new personality that has been added to the team. I am looking forward to working with him but also for us to give ourselves time as well to fit into what he wants us to do and to really feel natural doing it.
“That is what he wants us to do, for it to be second nature doing the things he wants us to do. Those things do take time but it is a challenge we are all looking forward to.”
SN’s verdict…
Prior to the 2021/22 season, Rashford scored 20+ goals in consecutive campaign and also reached double figures in assists. Clearly, at his best, he is still one of the most productive wingers in Europe.
It’s now up to Ten Hag to capture that talent and get the best out of him. Anthony Elanga, who was a favourite under Rangnick, will challenge him for a place but as things stand, it’s Rashford’s to lose.
With just three months of club football before England name their World Cup squad, Rashford will be eager to go and he will back himself to be in the side against Brighton for the Premier League curtain-raiser next month.
He is a good player and is still young then must work hard