Marcus Rashford and Erik ten Hag embrace after Man Utd’s 2-0 win at Leeds (Photo: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has claimed he always knew Marcus Rashford was capable of the incredible form he has shown this season following Manchester United’s win at Leeds.
United beat their historic rivals 2-0 at Elland Road on Sunday, thanks to late goals from Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
It was another excellent headed goal from the England international who has now scored 21 goals this season, including 12 in his last 15 games.
The 25-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career so far and is arguably the most in-form forward in the world right now – a sentiment Ten Hag most certainly agrees with.
‘He’s definitely one of them,’ the manager said post-match when asked if Rashford was the best striker in Europe.
‘He has the skills. I was convinced from the first moment, I was really excited to work with him, I thought I could get more out of him.
‘But he has so many skills and such high potential and there can be even more. When he works well he will score even more goals because he can score with his left, right and his head.
‘It’s about him getting into position but also the team has to have the capabilities to pass in there and cross in there, as they did today. I think that is what I wanted to describe.
‘If you have better formation and calmness on the ball, you get a switch of play or you bring an extra pass, like we did for the goal. And then finally, a great cross from [Luke] Shaw and Marcus was in the right time there.’
Rashford is now only one shy of equalling his best goal-tally for a season, but Ten Hag wants him to go even further and become the first United player to score 30 goals in a campaign since Robin van Persie 10 years ago.
He added: ‘You asked me, “Do you think you have a player in your squad who can score 20 goals?”, in August or September and I confirmed. I think he can do that.
‘Now, if you are satisfied with it then it will stop because satisfaction goes to laziness. You have to keep investing every day and when he keeps the investment and keeps the focus in every game and bring the energy in and the belief, he will score, he will keep scoring.
‘So then I don’t know when it will stop but it has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things. I think as a manager, as a coaching staff we have to push him but finally it comes from the player. When he loses focus, the scoring will stop, clear.’
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‘I was convinced from the first moment, I was really excited to work with him.’
