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Erik ten Hag has told Marcus Rashford he must “set his life right” if he wants to reach his highest level in a Manchester United shirt after the forward’s return to form over the last week.
Speaking in the embargoed press-conference ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, the Dutchman was asked about the “incidents” Rashford was involved in last season – which called into question the 26-year-old’s professionalism and attitude – and whether he had learned from them.
Rashford was internally disciplined after missing training following a trip to Belfast ahead of a fourth-round tie in the FA Cup. As a result of these actions, the forward was omitted from the squad for the match against Newport County, but was reinstated to the starting eleven the following game.
There were other issues earlier in the season as well, most notably when Rashford celebrated a birthday party late into the night after United had lost three-nil to local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. Ten Hag described the behaviour as “unacceptable”, with the continuation later in the season indicating a pattern of behaviour which was causing concern for many at the club.
In response to his assessment of last season’s incidents, Ten Hag replied: “I think [Rashford] always knew. Every player knows, because when your lifestyle is not right you can’t perform in the leagues we have to perform, and you don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a disciplined life away from Carrington.”
“You don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.”
Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford has to “set his life and attitude right” to perform.#MUFC #bbcfootball
— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) September 20, 2024
The Dutchman believes it is firmly in the 26-year-old’s own hands as only he possesses the ability to translate his talents on the pitch consistently.
“At end of the day, he has to do it by himself. He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism, he will perform because he is a class player,” Ten Hag stated.
“I think every player who plays in the Premier League, but definitely in this club, you need some resilience. Not any football career is only the way up, you always go down. You have to deal with it.
“Marcus Rashford has also experienced, he knows when there are setbacks how to get fightback, how to set his career, his performance. he took control of it and I think he is on the way back. He has started the season very well but now he has to continue and to progress.”
Rashford has demonstrated this “class” with a resurgence in form recently with goals in back-to-back victories over Southampton and Barnsley in the past week. These goals, and the confidence they will always give to a forward, lead Ten Hag to conclude that, “I think he is on his way back.”
The 54-year-old coach also believes Rashford will “always be an option for every manager” of England, despite the 26-year-old being dropped from Gareth Southgate’s squad for EURO 2024 this summer.
Southgate’s interim replacement, Lee Carsley, chose not to reinstate Rashford to the squad for the Three Lions’ friendlies over the recent international break, though Ten Hag’s words suggest the Dutchman believes this absence will not continue for much longer.
United’s manager also touched on Mason Mount, who suffered a similar fate to Rashford this summer by not making the England squad after a disappointing season at Old Trafford. However, Ten Hag is adamant the midfielder has “shown glimpses” this season and, if Mount is able to stay fit, “everyone will see his qualities.” “I am totally convinced,” the Dutchman concluded.
Ten Hag also reserved praise for Manuel Ugarte – United’s new defensive midfielder, signed from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day. The 23-year-old made his debut against Barnsley on Tuesday and Ten Hag was quick to describe the Uruguayan international as a “very good player”, though stresses he will need time to get up to speed at Old Trafford.
“[Ugarte] is very short in some sessions, he is in process where he has to come into the club, the team, the game model, what are the principles and especially know with his profile what he can contribute. You can see he will be a very good player for us.”
United travel to the capital tomorrow evening to play Crystal Palace. Last season’s fixture produced a dismal 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the South London side with the Red Devils firmly embarrassed at Selhurst Park.
Ten Hag and his squad will be desperate to avenge this painful loss and continue to build on the fine form displayed over the last two games. It will likely require the “class” of Rashford to secure all three points however, which is why his manager is laying down a gauntlet for him.
Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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