Erik ten Hag tells Marcus Rashford exactly what he must do to improve – BBC – Man United News And Transfer News

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Erik ten Hag has told Marcus Rashford he must “set his life right” if he wants to reach his highest level in a Manchester United shirt.

Speaking in the embargoed press-conference ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, the Dutchman was asked about the “incidents” Rashford was involved in last season – which called into question the 26-year-old’s professionalism and attitude – and whether he had learned from them.

Rashford was internally disciplined after missing training following a trip to Belfast ahead of a fourth-round tie in the FA Cup. As a result, the forward was omitted from the squad for the match against Newport County but was reinstated to the starting eleven the following game.

There were other issues earlier in the season as well, most notably when Rashford celebrated a birthday party late into the night after United had lost three-nil to local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.

In response, Ten Hag replied: “I think [Rashford] always knew. Every player knows, because when your lifestyle is not right you can’t perform in the leagues we have to perform, and you don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a disciplined life away from Carrington.”

“You don’t get the right levels when you don’t have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.”

Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford has to “set his life and attitude right” to perform.#MUFC #bbcfootball

— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) September 20, 2024

The Dutchman believes it is firmly in the 26-year-old’s own hands as he only he possesses the ability to translate his talents on the pitch consistently.

“At end of the day, he has to do it by himself. He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism, he will perform because he is a class player,” Ten Hag stated.

Rashford has demonstrated this “class” with a resurgence in form recently with goals in both of his last appearances, helping United to back-to-back victories through emphatic wins over Southampton and Barnsley over the past week.

The Red Devils travel to the capital tomorrow evening to play Crystal Palace. Last season’s fixture produced a dismal 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the South London side with the Red Devils firmly embarrassed at Selhurst Park.

Ten Hag and his squad, with Rashford chief among them, will be desperate to avenge this painful loss and continue to build on the fine form displayed over the last two games.

More in this developing story to follow…

Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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