Ten Hag's Rashford warning: Man Utd's 'big guy' must 'prove it every time'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Sept 2024 15:38 BST
• 4 min read

Erik ten Hag has given Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford a vote of confidence but also exhorted him to 'prove it every time.'

The Red Devils' star attacker is coming off two encouraging performances. Rashford scored his first goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend, before netting twice and providing an assist in a 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley on Tuesday.

Those close to Rashford publically hit out at the player's detractors last week, insisting that the criticism of the 26-year-old is over the top and amounts to 'bullying.'

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Rashford, of course, is coming off a disappointing season on and off the pitch and has a point to prove this term. While Man Utd are still not totally convincing, the last two games will do wonders for the team's confidence, Rashford included.

After the weekend's game, Alan Shearer urged the attacker to consistently show his quality and 'not just against Southampton' and this has now been echoed by coach Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag insists Rashford must 'prove it every time'

Speaking after the Barnsley thrashing, Ten Hag hailed Rashford as Man Utd's 'big guy' but also warned him that he must perform on a regular basis.

"The goals not only have to come from Marcus Rashford," Ten Hag said. "We need more goalscorers but I know from my first season here when he scores then it's [easier] for the team when you have a player in your squad who is a guarantee for goals. Then it can make the difference.

"You can do a lot of things very good between the boxes but football matches are decided in the box. I'm not only expecting this from Marcus, I expect it from others who are in the prime of their career but we also have some others who are high potentials, they are very hungry to score goals.

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"But more important they want to win, to win games and win trophies. Confidence is a big part of it, it is not everything, there are also other parts but confidence is a big part and I think Rashford is a big guy. He's scored so many goals, he's one in the list of [current] United goalscorers, he is on top of it, so he is a big guy.

"But you are as good as your last game and every time you have to prove it," the Dutchman warned. "But I have even seen the biggest guys, the biggest football players, when they are not performing and when strikers are not scoring, they drop in confidence, it doesn't matter who."