Erik ten Hag urged to copy Steven Gerrard scenario with Marcus Rashford
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has urged Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to take a leaf out of the late Gerard Houllier's book.
Houllier, while in charge of Liverpool, instilled discipline into both Murphy and his team-mate, Steven Gerrard, as they broke into the Reds' first-team during the late 1990s. Ten Hag has a similar task when it comes to United star Marcus Rashford, who last Sunday was ordered to stay in Manchester ahead of his side's FA Cup clash with Newport County - which his team-mates won 4-2 - after enjoying a boozy night out in Belfast which resulted in him missing a day's training.
Rashford returned to United's squad on Thursday for their trip to Wolves and took just five minutes to score in their dramatic 4-3 win. But long-term questions still loom over the forward's future, despite being one of the club's most senior players and 26 years old, as French giants Paris Saint-Germain are, once again, being linked with a transfer.
Murphy has recalled a tale from his early days at Liverpool when boss Houllier, who died aged 73 in December 2020, took contrasting approaches when dealing with him and Gerrard, who'd go to become one of the Reds' all-time greats. "Getting the best out of players requires a manager imposing discipline but also having a softer side," Murphy wrote in his Mail on Sunday column.
"Players need to know that there are consequences for poor performances or bad attitudes. Sometimes younger players don't want to listen to anyone so the manager has to make them feel it. It happened to me when Houllier bombed me out back on loan to Crewe because I thought I was God's gift signing for Liverpool."
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As the ex- Charlton, Tottenham and Fulham man explains, though, Houllier's treatment of Gerrard was vastly different. "I know he took Stevie and his parents to dinner and warned them he wouldn't make it at the club without becoming more professional," Murphy said.
"It bucked him up fast. But there has to be a carrot as well as a stick. Players respond to managers who show a genuine interest in their welfare.
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Marcus Rashford, now 26, has had multiple lapses in discipline (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was told as a youngster that he needed to be more professional (Alex Livesey/ALLSPORT)"At United, Rashford has to feel engaged with his manager. He has to believe despite any criticism, the manager has his players' backs. Otherwise there is a problem. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are masters at it. You can see them chatting to and embracing their players with real warmth. At the same time, you know not to mess with them. It's a difficult balancing act but possible."
With the Belfast incident now a "closed" matter, Rashford is also expected to face West Ham on Sunday when United welcome the Irons to Old Trafford. Ten Hag was pleased with the England international's display at Wolves but made sure to point out his team-mates' role in the opening goal.
"It was a fantastic team goal," the United manager told TNT Sports post-match. "We scored more such goals from building up. Many players involved, get it switched and score a great goal. I think what you see consistently is the last games when he has three goals and I think two assists in I think three or four matches."
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