Rashford reveals his joy as he makes a Marc working with Ten Hag
Marcus Rashford says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is a “joy to work with” as the rejuvenated forward gradually gets back to his best.
Last season was the most challenging campaign of the 24-year-old’s career to date, with the heartbreaking penalty shoot-out miss in the Euro 2020 Final loss to Italy compounded by injury, poor form and criticism.
Rashford managed just five goals in 32 appearances during a poor club season on both an individual and collective basis.
But things are on the up at United under summer appointment Ten Hag.
“The manager’s a joy to work with,” said Rashford. “Is it hard work? Yeah, but I think we are enjoying it and we’re playing better football.
“When we don’t concede goals, we’ve got a good chance of winning games because we’re creating chances.
“We just need to finish them off, and be a bit more clinical in front of goal.”
Rashford is United’s top scorer in all competitions but knows he should have more than six goals – a figure that is already one more than he managed last term.
“I feel like I’m getting there,” the England international said of his form. “But, yeah, I’m a lot more happy, I’m enjoying myself a lot more.”
Rashford will look to continue that progress when West Ham visit Old Trafford today, which marks the 85th anniversary of United starting an unbroken run of having academy graduates in every matchday squad.
“I’m just looking forward to the games,” said the homegrown forward ahead of United’s 4,163rd consecutive match involving an academy product.
“We’ve got a lot of games in a short space of time but that’s why we have such a good squad.
“Everyone’s up for it, everyone’s up for the challenge, up for the fight. For me, the epitome of that was the Chelsea game.
“We conceded late on and we still had the courage and the determination to score again late on.
“We were disappointed with the draw, but when you look at the wider scheme of things it’s great character. We know that we’ve got it but to show it is another thing.”
Such character was conspicuous by its absence towards the end of last season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, but an impressive team spirit has been cultivated under permanent successor Ten Hag.
“I think it’s a little bit of everything, but it’s definitely something that you have to build,” Rashford said.
“We’ve had some new signings come in the summer and we’ve just managed to make it work and build that team spirit as quickly as we did.
“I feel like the players have integrated well and we’re learning about each other more and more.
“But the team spirit is definitely very high and we want to keep that going. Good performances help but even in the bad times we are going to stick together.”
Meanwhile, David Moyes wants West Ham to take their home form on the road, starting today.
The Hammers have won six matches on the trot in all competitions at the London Stadium, topping their group in the Europa Conference League while climbing to 10th in the Premier League.
But they have lost four of their six domestic games away from home this season and face a tough trip to Old Trafford to take on Erik Ten Hag’s in-form side.
“Going away to Old Trafford for anybody is always a tough game,” Moyes said at his pre-match press conference. “They have some excellent players and we will have to play well there.
“But we’ve got good players as well and I think we are finding a little bit of form. We could do with finishing a little bit better but overall I am really pleased with how we are doing.
“You always have to try and pick up the points because the games are really close in the Premier League.
“Whether we’re winning at home or not, all the games have been tight. Even away from home, some of the defeats have been really close.
“Sometimes there have been other factors involved in us not getting points from matches. But we know how difficult Sunday will be.”
Moyes will check on the fitness of England winger Jarrod Bowen, who missed the European win over Silkeborg on Thursday with an ankle knock.
Lucas Paqueta’s shoulder injury keeps him out, while Maxwel Cornet and Craig Dawson are also sidelined.
Moyes must decide whether to keep Nayef Aguerd in his squad after the Morocco defender’s promising debut against Silkeborg following his recovery from ankle surgery.