Rashford form a result of hard work, Manchester United manager says

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By Martin Graham | 29th Jan 2023

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refused to take credit for Marcus Rashford’s resurgent form.

The Dutchman has overhauled the United squad and has gotten them to tap into a rich vein of form. At the forefront of this improved form is Marcus Rashford, who has scored in every game that the club has played since the return of the league following the World Cup break.

The 24-year-old, who was almost on his way out due to a lack of game time and some poor outings, is now the club’s cornerstone and Erik ten Hag risks the ire of the fans if he does not start a game.

Although the former Ajax manager is a confident man who never justifies his actions to anybody, he is happy to keep exploiting Rashford’s mesmerising form but has refused to take any credit for it.

Asked about his influence in Rashford’s form when speaking to journalists ahead of their FA Cup match against Reading, ten Hag said: “I’m not Harry Potter! It’s just confidence. Every player has to make and get his own confidence. He fought for this. He invested in this.

“Of course, with my coaching staff, we bring in structures that give him routines that he needs to get into the right position.

“But, finally, it’s up to him. When the player has the confidence then I’m convinced, in the way we are working, he can perform at his best.

“It’s obvious that Marcus at this moment is in really good shape, really good form.”

Erik ten Hag was also asked about the state of two other United talents, Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire. Sancho has been out of the team for both personal and fitness reasons while Maguire has fallen down the pecking order of centre backs in the side.

The former Manchester City academy player has been photographed in training at Carrington and there are talks of his return to action soon for the Red Devils. The United boss spoke on this issue to the journalists.

“He is training with the team and we will see,” added Ten Hag. “He’s on his way back, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training.”

And on Maguire, whose future at Old Trafford has been called into question, he said: “No, he’s not fifth choice but it’s up to him. He has to fight for his position and things can change, sometimes really quickly.

“After the World Cup he should have played but then he got ill. I can’t do anything about that, and he knows that. Then he has to wait for his chance.”