27 January 2023 , 22:30
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Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford's return to form is down to the striker himself – rather than any Harry Potter-style magic on his part.
Rashford has 18 goals this season for Manchester United, including 10 in his last 10 games, having managed just five in the whole of the last campaign. The England forward, who also bagged three goals for the Three Lions at the World Cup, will aim to continue his phenomenal scoring run at Old Trafford on Saturday against Reading in the FA Cup.
Ten Hag was asked what he has done to transform Rashford's form so spectacularly, with the United boss giving all the credit to his revitalised 25-year-old talisman.
“I'm not Harry Potter,” joked Ten Hag. “It's just confidence. Every player has to make and get his own confidence. He (Rashford) fought for this, he invested in this. Of course, with my coaching staff, we bring in structures, especially in the way of play, that give him routines that he needs to get into the right position.
“But, finally, it's up to him, to the player, and when the player has the confidence, then I'm convinced with the way we're working, the player can perform at his best.
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“It's obvious that Marcus, at this moment, is in really good shape, really good form. I think from day to day, from training to training, from game to game, the routines are taking effect.
Marcus Rashford has been in outstanding goalscoring form for Manchester United (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)“The front line now also gives me a positive feeling. It's getting stronger as well and then they can take more benefit from each other. In the first half of the season, for instance, we had many problems in the frontline.
“Often, we had games where we didn't have players who were 100 per cent physically and mentally fit. Now, that's much more the case and Marcus can take even more benefit from such situations.”
United skipper Harry Maguire is set to be handed a rare start against Reading, but Ten Hag denied he is his fifth-choice centre-back behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw, who has been deployed there in recent weeks.
“No, he’s not the fifth choice,” Ten Hag said of Maguire. “But it’s up to him. I have to say he’s training very well, bringing quality, and that's what I expect from all the players in the squad.
“He has to fight for his position and things can change, sometimes also really quickly. I think he's making progress and it’s up to him. After the World Cup, he should have played, but then he got ill. I can’t do anything about that and he knows that.
“Then he has to wait for his chance - I think those are the laws of football, from top football, in terms of selection. Then you have to wait for a chance and, in the meanwhile, make sure you're ready if the chance is there.”