Marcus: My pain

Form has given me sleepless nights

MARCUS RASHFORD has urged fans to forget last week’s humiliating derby demolition - because Manchester United are on the up under boss Erik ten Hag.

Rashford admitted he has found it tough to cope with United’s poor performances over the last 12 months, but feels the 6-3 hammering at rivals City will not destroy the progress the Reds have made under their new Dutch boss (below).

The England striker cut an unhappy figure as

Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer and

Ralf Rangnick failed to halt

United’s slide last season.

But he has scored five of United’s

16 goals under Ten Hag and believes better times are ahead.

Rashford said: “We all like to win games.

That’s the reason we play for United.

“So, yes, there were times I was very disappointed last season, but I think that’s normal.

Losing

“Ask any player, they are not happy if they are losing or drawing games.

“We have such high expectations of ourselves and each other. But we are definitely improving.

“There are obviously things we need to tighten up on and improve on.

“And obviously the last game in the league wasn’t good enough by anyone’s standards.

“We let people down. It was a bit embarrassing after the game. But these results can happen in football and the only way to come back is to win your next game.

“The new manager has got a very clear identity and a way of playing. I think it makes it easier to adapt to him. I felt this in pre-season.

“He got his messages across quickly and directly and the players took those messages on board.

“It is still early days.

“But the more we get to know him, the better we will become and the more he gets to know us as well. “I’m just looking forward to winning games.” Rashford, substituted at half-time at the Etihad, came off the bench to score twice in the 3-2 Europa League win over Cypriot minnows Omonia on Thursday night.

His brace included an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo. He has spent most of the season on the bench after trying to engineer his departure from Old Trafford. Now United face a tough test against a rejuvenated Everton at Goodison Park.

And Rashford said: “Ronaldo is such an unbelievable player and he’s been an unbelievable player ever since I watched him as a youngster.

Joy

“It is a joy to play with him. We can keep building and when he starts scoring goals, he won’t stop.

“We just have to try and keep putting the ball in positions when he’s in front of goal. After a game like that [City], it doesn’t matter who you play or where you play, it is just important to win. But we will have to be a lot better on the ball and show a much higher intensity at Everton.”

Rashford, who turns 25 at the end of the month, added: “I think Everton have been playing well this season.

“It is going to be an intense game, but we should be ready for it. “I have been there and won a few times, but I have also been there and come away disappointed. “Hopefully it can be a good performance and a big win.”

Everton’s James Tarkowski is the real-deal defender England need in Qatar, argues Sean Dyche, his former manager at Burnley. Dyche said: “Tarky takes great pride in defending, like the top Italians. We all know there centre halves are out there being described as the ’next big thing’ and they can’t defend. He can.”