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MARCUS RASHFORD admits he “wasn’t in the right headspace” last season.But the striker is feeling better than ever after hitting Manchester United’s winner against West Ham on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford has opened up over his struggles for Man Utd last seasonCredit: Getty
Rashford, 24, has come into form at the perfect time with the World Cup just weeks away.
Today’s strike was his seventh of the season and his 100th in a United shirt.
Rashford already has two more goals than he managed the whole of the 21/22 campaign.
And in a candid post-match interview, the United ace admits he struggled to deal with the pressure last term.
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But Rashford is back to loving his football again under Erik ten Hag.
And he is now focused on booking United’s spot in the Europa League knockouts this Thursday.
He said after United beat West Ham: “[The 100th goal] has been on my mind for the past couple of games but we’ve been winning games so I’ve been happy and just been waiting for it to come.
“It’s a complete different energy around the club and the training ground [this season].
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“That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in.
“I was struggling at times with more mental things. It wasn’t really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That’s the biggest difference from last season.
“I get that it’s your job to speak about what happens on the pitch but for the players we have to get into the right headspace for every game.
“Too often last season, I wasn’t in the right headspace for games. I wasn’t surprised by some of the stuff that was happening.” More

RAPHAEL VARANE’S injury could have handed Harry Maguire a World Cup lifeline.The question is – with just three weeks to go before the big kick off in Qatar – is has it come too late?
Manchester United ace Harry Maguire may have the chance to join EnglandCredit: AP
The £80million defender has just four more Manchester United matches to try to play his way into Gareth Southgate’s first team.
And the Three Lions boss – who was in the directors box for this one – will be hoping he can play in all of them.
Because he clearly needs matches under his belt after such a nightmare season so far.
Maguire’s place as first-choice centre-back in Qatar next month is currently hanging by a thread.
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He overcame a nervy start here to play his part in keeping a clean sheet and preserving another crucial three points for United.
But this was his first Premier League start since the horror show at Brentford on August 13 and early on it showed.
Much has happened at United since that disastrous 4-0 defeat at Brentford and the fact is Maguire is currently fourth choice in the list of centre-backs for his club.
However an injury to Varane and Victor Lindelof’s knock meant he was promoted back into the starting line-up by Erik ten Hag.
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It has been the worst possible prep for Maguire.  He has started only one game since that nightmare day in West London – a Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad.
And in the last international camp at the end of September he suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-3 draw with Germany.
During his time on the sidelines, Varane and Lisandro Martinez have established themselves as the first-choice centre-back pairing.
And that will be a concern to Southgate, who has always shown great loyalty to the former Leicester man.
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Manchester United star Raphael Varane has been sidelined with an injuryCredit: Rex
Both Eric Dier and John Stones have made their case for selection with their performances so that was always going to be tested.
At least now, following Varane’s unfortunate injury at Chelsea last weekend, Maguire will have his chance to prove he should start against Iran.
It couldn’t be more timely for the 29-year-old although even so, it isn’t ideal for him.
Southgate likes to utilise Maguire on the left of a centre-back pairing – where he can link up with his club-mate Luke Shaw.
His chance with United will come on the right as Martinez has made the other slot his own in recent weeks.
While Maguire walked out with the armband on, he must have been grateful for the encouragement of his Argentinian defensive partner early on.
England boss Gareth Southgate may call Harry Maguire up for the World CupCredit: EPA
Maguire got 45 minutes against Moldovan side Sheriff in midweek but this was a different proposition – and he looked nervous and a little rusty.
He lunged in on Hammers forward Gianluca Scamacca early on – only for the Italian to neatly side-step him and set up Said Benrahma on the counter.
In the second half he got lucky as Jarrod Bowen went for the nutmeg on the edge of the box but then collided with the centre-back – and was unlucky not to win a free-kick.
Maguire showed a bit of experience and composure to shepherd the ball to safety away from Scamacca as the visitors began to get on top.
The introduction of Michail Antonio midway through the second half gave Maguire and Martinez a different kind of problem to deal with.
As the Hammers pushed for an equaliser, Maguire did his bit in keeping them at bay.
Much to ponder then for Southgate as he made his way back over the Pennines to his Yorkshire home. More

MARCUS RASHFORD is playing football with a smile on his face again.Now he could be beaming from ear to ear as part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad in Qatar next month.
Marcus Rashford’s brilliant header sealed a 1-0 win for Man Utd over West HamCredit: AFP
The result saw United move above Chelsea into fifthCredit: Getty
The Three Lions boss was at Old Trafford to witness Rashford hammer home a header to grab his 100th Manchester United goal.
If Southgate wants players in form when he chooses his final 26 man squad on November 10th then Rashford’s name has to be on the list.
The last time Rashford kicked a ball for England it was in missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shoot-out final against Italy.
Form and fitness problems have not seen him figure for his country since.
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United have David De Gea to thank for some fine late savesCredit: Reuters
Rashford was all smiles as his goal ensured victoryCredit: Getty
Certainly last season there was no reason why he should have been picked while he was not available in the last international break due to an injury.
But he is fit and firing again.
Only last week he summed up where he is at right now saying: “I feel like I’m getting there. I’m a lot more happy, I’m enjoying myself a lot more.
“I’m just looking forward to the games.”
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The striker pounced in the 38th minuteCredit: PA
Rashford is the first player since Wayne Rooney to hit a century for UnitedCredit: AP
You can see the confidence flowing through the 24-year-old as he became the first United player to reach that 100 goal milestone since Wayne Rooney back in 2009.
Of the many depressing sights watching this team last season the drop off in form from Rashford was one of the most troubling.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick had said that his form in training warranted a place in the team but he just could not replicate it on match day.
Erik ten Hag who said from day one he had faith in Rashford.
He promised him a run as a number nine and was true to his word.
As in this game, he can be possibly even more effective from that position wide left, as Cristiano Ronaldo was preferred up front.
Cristiano Ronaldo played all 90 minutes as he retained his spot in the sideCredit: AFP
Harry Maguire captained United with Victor Lindelof missing through illnessCredit: Reuters
Last Thursday he proved he can even fit in the number ten role as he came on to play just behind Ronaldo.
It was a combination that impressed Ten Hag as both players scored in the second half of that Europa League game.
His adaptability has to be another plus when Southgate is making his mind up.
Rashford now has seven goals for the season but it is seeing his faith in his own abilities on the ball that will gladden the hearts of United fans as much as the goals.
United have been dominating teams at Old Trafford from the off and this was no different.
West Ham were pushed back from the first whistle and were just trying to stifle and earn something on the break in the first period.
David Moyes was left incensed with a number of decisions against his sideCredit: Getty
West Ham had their chances late on but couldn’t put them awayCredit: Reuters
The Red Devils just needed patience as they probed for the opening and it came on 38 minutes
Diogo Dalot threw the ball in to Eriksen, who offloaded it to Bruno Fernandes, who nodded it back to the great Dane.
Eriksen’s control and delivery was then sublime, chesting the ball down taking a touch and arching a far post cross over on the half-volley.
Rashford had anticipated it and flew in ahead of Thilo Kehrer with a perfectly time run and leap to meet the ball and power a header past Fabianski.
There was more of the same from Ten Hag’s men in the second half with Ronaldo having three chances in a couple of minutes just past the hour.
Erik ten Hag is continuing to impress in the United dugoutCredit: AFP
United will now be looking to seal their spot in the Europa League knockout stagesCredit: AP
The first from Luke Shaw’s cross saw the ball skim off the top of his head and go wide.
The second when put down a channel by Rashford saw him screw his shot wide and the last was deflected over.
Not long ago two of those would have been buried.
The Hammers were having to show more attacking intent and looked much more of a threat in the second period.
David De Gea’s heroics in the final ten minutes really did save the day and left former Manchester United boss David Moyes a frustrated figure.
In a frantic closing period De Gea tipped over substitute Michael Antonio’s long range shot and clawed away Kurt Zouma’s header.
Jarrod Bowen scuffed a great chance from close range that deflected away from goal.
The best of De Gea’s saves came at full stretch to deny a thunderous drive from Rice.
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United held out. They are a tough nut to crack now and this was a fifth clean sheet in six.
The corner continues to be turned under the new boss. More

JAMIE CARRAGHER has hilariously ripped Gary Neville after the Manchester United icon was BLANKED by Cristiano Ronaldo.Former Liverpool skipper Carragher was ignored by Ronnie in August during a pre-match interview on live TV.
Gary Neville was trolled by Jamie Carragher after being blanked by Cristiano Ronaldo
Neville admits he’s off Ronaldo’s Christmas card list after recently criticising the striker
Carragher has been a vocal critic of Ronaldo since his return to United in 2021.
And the Portuguese legend repaid in kind by embracing all the pundits present bar Carragher.
However, it was Neville’s turn to feel Ronnie’s wrath ahead of United’s clash with West Ham.
The former right-back was embroiled in a heated argument with ex-teammate Roy Keane last weekend over Ronaldo’s recent contributions.
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Neville was critical of the striker’s strop in the previous game against Spurs as Keane put up a fierce defence.
And today, Ronaldo treated Neville with a similar coldness as he blanked the pundit in front of the nation.
He instead warmly embraced another ex-United pal in Louis Saha.
And Ronaldo even gave Jamie Redknapp a handshake before totalling ignoring Neville to join United’s warm-up.
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This prompted Carragher to tweet: “Welcome to the blanked by Ronaldo club @GNev2.”
Neville himself poked fun at the incident on air, saying: “We’re off the Christmas card list.”
Fans certainly found the incident interesting, with many taking different sides.
One tweeted: “Imagine being so insecure you ignore everyone who criticises you.”
Another said: “He’s such a baby.”
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One declared: “People calling Ronaldo a baby acting like they would say hi to someone constantly criticising them.”
Another added: “Gary outed him for being a crybaby and he’s proved him right there.” More

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has been branded “an enormous talent” whose potential has “no ceiling”.That’s according to Manchester United and Argentina pal Lisandro Martinez, who is tipping the teen to reach the top.
Man Utd starlet Alejandro Garnacho has been hailed as an ‘enormous talent’Credit: Reuters
Lisandro Martinez reckons Garnacho will be a top player for United and ArgentinaCredit: AP
Garnacho, 18, had an impressive full debut in United’s 3-0 midweek Europa League win over Sheriff.
He has long been heralded as the club’s brightest young talent.
And a new contract could be in the offing as Erik ten Hag prepares to give Garnacho an even bigger role in United’s squad.
The prodigy has already made Argentina’s senior side, though he is yet to win his first international cap.
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And Garnacho is hopeful of retaining his United spot in Sunday’s Premier League clash against West Ham.
But regardless of whether he continues to make an instant splash or returns to work with the U21s, teammate Martinez reckons the sky is the limit for Garnacho.
Martinez told ESPN: “He has enormous talent and a bright future.
“It all depends on him, on what he works for, but he’s young.
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“He has to keep learning, at his age he’s in a team that isn’t easy [to get into].
“I tell him he has to take advantage of the moment, listen, ask for advice, do extra training.
“He has no ceiling. He will give Manchester United and the national team a lot.” More