Erik ten Hag believes Marcus Rashford is reaping the rewards of a more disciplined approach and increased professionalism, following a challenging period both on and off the field last season. Rashford has netted three goals in two matches for Manchester United against Southampton and Barnsley in recent weeks, marking his first goals since March. His previous season was fraught with difficulties, scoring only nine times in 50 appearances for club and country, and he was notably omitted from the European Championship squad. Rashford faced disciplinary action from Ten Hag in February after missing training due to a late night out in Belfast.
"He likely required some support, but ultimately, he must take responsibility for his actions," Ten Hag stated. "He needs to correct his lifestyle, his training demeanor, and his match attitude. When he commits to professionalism, he will excel because he is a top-tier player." Ten Hag emphasized that every player understands the impact of an undisciplined lifestyle on performance, noting that maintaining a structured life away from the training ground is crucial.
Gareth Southgate excluded Rashford from England's preliminary Euro 2024 squad, citing better performances from other players. Ten Hag, however, is not surprised by Rashford's recent resurgence. "Players in the Premier League, especially at this club, need resilience," he said. "Every career has its ups and downs, and one must learn to navigate them. Rashford has faced setbacks and knows how to recover, how to reset his career and performance. He has taken control and is on the path to recovery. He has started the season well and must continue to progress."
Rashford's resurgence, along with the return of Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund, provides a significant boost for Ten Hag ahead of Saturday's match against Crystal Palace. New signing Manuel Ugarte has also shown potential in his initial appearances. "He is in the phase of integrating into the club, understanding the team's dynamics, principles, and rules, and identifying his role," Ten Hag explained. "We are in this process, and it will take time, but his potential is clear."
Manchester United has engaged Foster + Partners to create a masterplan for the area around Old Trafford. The club clarified that a new stadium is not part of this plan, with any redesign of the current ground to commence after determining development options.
