Manchester United Manager's Praise for Rashford

In an enthusiastic declaration, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised Marcus Rashford as a 'big guy' for the club following the forward's impressive performance, which included two goals in their recent 7-0 rout of Barnsley.

Rashford's Form and Previous Challenges

The 26-year-old Rashford, who had previously been in a goal drought, found his form again after a goal against Southampton in the Premier League earlier in the season. This marked the end of a six-month scoring lull for the talented academy product, who struggled during the last season with only eight goals to his name.

Ten Hag's Belief in Rashford's Potential

Ten Hag has made it clear that he believes in Rashford's potential to deliver crucial goals, journeying back to last season when Rashford netted an impressive 30 times during Ten Hag’s inaugural year at the helm.

Importance of Team Goalscorers

Yet, while Ten Hag is optimistic about Rashford reclaiming his scoring prowess, he stressed that offensive contributions need to come from multiple players, especially as the team has advanced to the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup. "We must have more goalscorers,” Ten Hag stated. “While things are easier when Rashford scores, it's crucial that we harness the scoring capabilities of others as well."

Scoring in Pivotal Moments

The coach elaborated on the significance of scoring in pivotal moments during matches, stating, "Football matches are decided in the box. Thus, having players who can guarantee goals can make all the difference. I expect contributions not just from Rashford, but from other key players who are in their prime.”

Confidence in Performance

Ten Hag acknowledged the importance of confidence in a player's performance, emphasizing, "Confidence is a significant factor, but it isn’t everything. While Rashford is confident and ranks highly among current United goalscorers, it's essential that he continually proves himself. Even the best players, if they hit a dry spell, can experience a dip in confidence."

Looking Ahead: Rashford's Role

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Rashford to see if he can maintain his newfound form and help propel Manchester United in their quest for success. With ten Hag's unwavering support, fans are hopeful that the forward will not only harness his skills but also inspire a new wave of goal-scoring talent within the squad to ultimately chase silverware.