Erik ten Hag is understandably delighted with Marcus Rashford as he urges the Manchester United forward to continue his goalscoring form.
Rashford scored his fifth goal in as many games and assisted a further two goals in United’s 3-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup on Friday night.
The England international, who scored three goals at the World Cup this winter, set up Antony for United’s open in the fourth minute. He also forced Conor Coady to kick the ball into his own net following a driven low cross into the box.
Rashford then scored his 13th goal of the season in stoppage time when he tucked home a penalty.
“From the first minute I think Marcus was the one who showed the confidence and the belief,” Ten Hag told reporters after the match, as per the Manchester Evening News. “He was taking on players and I think for 90 minutes he was a threat to the Everton defence.”
"He was a threat to Everton for 90 minutes." 🤯
Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has heaped praise on Marcus Rashford as he was the star of the show in their 3-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XEqJiMfrGA
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) January 7, 2023
Rashford needs another 9 goals this season to match his best tally yet, achieved in 2019-20, which is definitely possible if he can stay fit between now and the end of the season.
Especially at the current rate he is making goal contributions.
“In football it is hard to measure but with a striker you measure goals and assists – today he has two assists and one goal,” Ten Hag added. “He has fantastic skills and when he has mental stability he can keep going.
“That demands a lot from us as a team and an organisation to make sure we have the right environment and culture. When he keeps focus like this for sure he can keep this going…
“As a team we have to make sure we create the space, playing to his strengths. That is about Marcus doing really well but also the team, getting into the shapes. I think he is unstoppable with his speed, his dribbles and his directness.”