MARCUS RASHFORD is back playing football with a smile on his face and he credits Erik Ten Hag for the turnaround.
Rashford’s form and confidence slumped last season and he cut an unhappy figure on the bench and on the pitch.
But new boss Ten Hag has got him back enjoying his football, threatening defences and scoring goals in a Manchester United side that looks to have turned the corner.
Rashford, 24, said: “”I feel like I’m getting there. But, yeah, I’m a lot more happy, I’m enjoying myself a lot more.
“I’m just looking forward to the games.
“The manager’s a joy to work with, really. Is it hard work? Yeah, but I think we are enjoying it and we’re playing better football.”
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Rashford believes the best example of the new look United came in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Hit by the blow of a late penalty, they grabbed an injury time equaliser through Casemiro.
Proof, according to Rashford, of a new spirit in a new look team.
Rashford said: “Everyone’s up for it, everyone’s up for the challenge, up for the fight.
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“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’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 very high and we want to keep that going.”
Rashford will start against West Ham this weekend having come on at half-time in the 3-0 mid-week win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League.
He grabbed his sixth goal of the season and his form could go a long way to grabbing a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.
Ten Hag tried a new tactic on Thursday when he brought Rashford on playing him just in behind Cristiano Ronaldo and with good results as both players got on the score sheet.
Rashford said: “It was a more central role just behind Cristiano up front. But it’s the same principles, really.
“He wants us to do similar things in them positions, linking with the forward, trying to get close to the forward and ultimately make the box, and try and score more goals.
“It was a nice feeling to come on and have a good impact.”
That midweek win marked the club’s seventh game unbeaten, five of them wins, and was also their fourth clean sheet in five games.
Rashford said: “I feel like 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, be a bit more clinical in front of goal.”
While a lot has been made up of the impact of the new signings it is what Ten Hag has got out of those he inherited that has impressed with Rashford a good example.
He is also looking to promote the youth at the club with 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho given his full debut midweek.
What an impact he had on the left flank too, with Rashford particularly impressed.
He said: “I thought Garno was brilliant. He expressed himself on the pitch, which is always something that we encourage.
“He just came on and showed no fear. He got at his man, beat him, put crosses in, he pressed well.
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“The only thing that was missing, really, was a goal but I think he can be proud of himself .
“He’s had a performance that he can build on now and hopefully he gets more and more minutes. If he plays like that, I’m sure he will.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
