TEN HAG EXPECTS RASHFORD TO STAY

Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to remain at Manchester United amid speculation linking the forward with Paris St-Germain.

Reports in France suggest Rashford’s representatives have spoken to PSG about a switch to the Ligue 1 champions after a frustrating year at Old Trafford.

Rashford missed the start of last season with a shoulder injury before returning to score four goals in 25 Premier League appearances, losing his place in the England squad.

But Ten Hag insisted the 24-year-old, who has one year left on his contract with a club option for a further 12 months, remained integral at Old Trafford.

“He’s really important,” Ten Hag said. “You have seen from the first day I’m here, I’m really happy with him, I don’t want to lose him.”

The speculation around Rashford comes as United continue to struggle to bring in signings of their own.

The club is no closer with its primary target, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, while a report yesterday said the club’s board are blocking Ten Hag’s pursuit of Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech.

For now United remain short of attacking options with Anthony Martial out injured and Cristiano Ronaldo still being eased in after missing the club’s pre-season trip to Asia and Australia.

The Portugal forward came on as a 53rd minute substitute as Ten Hag’s tenure got off to a losing start in last Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Brighton.

Ten Hag said Ronaldo would be involved at Brentford today, but would not be drawn on whether he will start.

“He had a good training week,” he said. “He’s had two half-games and for the starting XI we will see tomorrow. It’s my decision, I keep it.”

That could see Christian Eriksen again deployed in a false-nine role as he returns to face the club he left to join United in the summer.