Erik ten Hag has credited Marcus Rashford’s positivity and work ethic for the striker’s renaissance at Manchester United this season.
Rashford has registered three goals – including two in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal – and two assists in six Premier League appearances this season, as many goal involvements as he managed in 25 appearances last season.
Asked to put his finger on what had changed with Rashford, Ten Hag told reporters ahead of United’s Europa League opener against Real Sociedad: “It’s difficult for me to talk about the past, but I see a happy Marcus Rashford.
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“I see some phases in his game which we could improve. We’ve worked really hard in the last two months with him on different aspects. He likes it and wants to transfer it to the pitch, and that is what we see in this moment.
“It started with happiness, he’s coming in every day, he’s smiling with a really positive vibe. If you put all those things together you contribute more to the team performance, the result, and also your development.”
England international Rashford has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, though United do hold an option to extend the 24-year-old’s deal by a further year.
Ten Hag, who insisted Rashford features in his long-term plans for United, added: “I don’t think he is out of contract; I think United are in control of the situation.”
