Erik ten Hag believes Marcus Rashford will be vital for Manchester United this season after the striker scored twice in his campaign. 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The Red Devils Academy graduate has found some form again at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, scoring his first club goal since March in United’s 3-0 win against Southampton on Saturday, before scoring a brace on Tuesday night.
Rashford opened the scoring in the 16th minute to start United’s way to victory before scoring another just before the hour mark.
united Boss Ten Hag, who was full of praise for Rashford after the game, believes the 26-year-old can be a key player for the club once again.
“Goals don’t just have to come from Marcus Rashford,” he told reporters. “We need more goalscorers, but I know from my first season here, when he scores, it’s (easier) for the team when you have a player in your squad who is a guarantee of goals.
“Then he can make the difference. You can do a lot of things very well between the boxes, but football games are decided inside the box. I don’t just expect that from Marcus, I expect it from others who are in the prime of the life. his career, but we also have others who have great potential, they are very hungry to score goals, but the most important thing is to win, win games and win trophies.
“Confidence is a big part of it, it’s not everything, there are other parts too, but confidence is a big part and I think Rashford is a big boy. He’s scored so many goals, he’s one on United’s list (current) goalscorers, he’s on top, so he’s a big boy.
“But you’re only as good as your last game and every time you have to prove it. But I’ve seen even the biggest, the biggest football players, when they don’t perform and when the strikers don’t score, the confidence drops . it doesn’t matter who.”
United travel to south London on Saturday to face Crystal Palace ahead of their Europa League first leg tie with FC Twente.
