MARCUS RASHFORD says Erik ten Hag has helped him rediscover his killer instinct.
Now he wants to repay his boss by firing Manchester United back to winning ways at Fulham today.
Rashford’s return to form saw him win a place in England’s World Cup squad, despite not having played for his country since the Euro final nearly 18 months ago.
Injuries and loss of form had some doubting at one stage whether he would even make the plane to Qatar.
Yet the United striker has been in the form of his life since ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in the summer, and was star man again in Thursday’s Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa.
And much of that is down to the impact his Dutch manager is having on his game. Rashford revealed: “I am more effective.
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“I am in more dangerous positions and that’s what it’s about for me. I can help the team win games. I can score goals and get assists, and that’s the aim.
“It’s probably the playing style we have created, better quality of chances and playing forward-thinking football.
“He likes possession, but he is also in favour of us going for the kill – and that’s what I am all about, so I am enjoying my time under him.”
United are making steady progress under ten Hag, but suffered a setback last Sunday when they were humbled 3-1 at Aston Villa.
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Rashford is determined that they won’t head into the World Cup break on the back of another, when they travel to Fulham this afternoon.
And he will be shelving all thoughts of glory in Qatar, and his delight at an England recall, to focus on the job at Craven Cottage.
He added: “We dropped points last weekend, and we can’t afford to drop more back-to-back. So it’s important for us to put in a big performance and get a win.
“It will be the last time we play together for a while, so it is important to leave with good energy, positive vibes, and momentum. You don’t want to leave on a loss.”
Rashford is convinced he could return from England duty as a World Cup winner – and just as certain United can regain their place in the Champions League.
He insisted: “Yeah, definitely. Why not? We are not in a bad position at the moment, but obviously we want to be higher up on the table.
“It is quite tight, and we just have to concentrate on improving. It is not going to happen overnight, but at the same time we want it to, so we are pushing for it this season.
“The type of football we play is very physically demanding and I think a break will be good for the lads that get a break.
“We’ve got a really good squad, and we want to come back at the end of December full of energy and really take the games head on. I think everyone is excited.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
