The Dutchman defended his decision to start the forward on the right (Pictures: Getty / Viaplay)
Erik ten Hag shut down an interviewer who claimed Marcus Rashford ‘struggles’ on the right wing though the Manchester United boss is weighing up starting him through the middle in Sunday’s rematch with Leeds.
The Red Devils came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, with Rashford netting an excellent header before substitute Jadon Sancho got on the scoresheet.
Rashford started on the right – with Wout Weghorst up top – but moved through the middle on the hour-mark when the peripheral Dutch forward was withdrawn, scoring just three minutes later.
Afterwards, it was suggested to Ten Hag that the England international ‘seems to struggle a little bit to get into the game’ when he plays on the right – something the United boss completely disagrees with.
When the question was put to him by Viaplay, Ten Hag laughed and replied: ‘Well, which game was it? It was against Burnley he scored twice from the right, great goals.’
Ten Hag was referring to United’s 2-0 win over Burnley in the Carabao Cup back in December, though Rashford actually only scored once.
The interviewer was apologetic after Ten Hag’s comeback, saying ‘my bad’, before Ten Hag nodded in agreement and continued: ‘Yeah. Marcus Rashford is scoring from everywhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s from the right, in the centre or over on the left.
‘He’s scoring from everywhere and today he showed it again.’
Rashford started United’s comeback after moving up top (Picture: Getty)
United now face Leeds immediately again at Elland Road – the result of a weird fixture quirk – and Ten Hag admits he could field Rashford through the middle from the off this time.
Asked if Rashford could lead the line from the start on Sunday, the Dutchman replied: ‘First off, this game, we analyse it, we will reflect on this game. Then we will see how the team is and then we will start our efforts.
‘I’m very pleased Marcus is scoring from all the positions. You see his stats, he’s scoring from the left, right, middle. It doesn’t matter. He’s always a good option to play on the right. We can move him around and give a different dynamic in a game.’
He added: ‘It’s difficult to analyse but I think after we made that change it’s different for the opponent, it’s difficult for the opponent, because the dynamic changed. The defenders are in a certain way.
‘They are anticipating on a certain attack then all of a sudden everything is changing, where we moved not only Rashford but we brought in [Jadon] Sancho and we brought in [Facundo] Pellistri. That changes the game as we did Saturday as well then he takes benefit from that situation, I think.’
United were once again without Anthony Martial against Leeds, who has picked up another injury issue, though Ten Hag insists he still has faith in the Frenchman.
MORE : Alejandro Garnacho sends message to Manchester United fans after struggling against Leeds
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The Man Utd boss defended his team selection.
