Erik ten Hag has warned Marcus Rashford he must lead his life the right way on and off the pitch if he wants to get back to his best.
Rashford is rediscovering his form after struggles on and off the pitch last season, which culminated in him missing out on England's Euro 2024 squad. The United striker managed just eight goals last season, after bagging a career-best 30 the previous campaign, as off-field issues saw his form take a dramatic dip.
Rashford was criticised by Ten Hag for celebrating his birthday at a Manchester nightclub, just hours after United were humiliated 3-0 at home by local rivals Manchester City in the derby. The forward was then disciplined and dropped for an FA Cup tie in January last season, after phoning in sick and missing training having flown to Belfast to go on a drinking session.
Despite those indiscretions, Ten Hag has stood by Rashford and supported him, that faith vindicated in United's last two games, with the 26-year-old scoring three times and producing one assist. Asked what the difference is between Rashford this season and last, Ten Hag said: “Probably he needed some help, by backing him, for instance. But at the end of the day, he has to do it by himself.
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“He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism right, he will perform, because he's a class player. I think he always knew - and every player knows [what they must do] - because when your lifestyle is not right, you can't perform.
“You don't get the right levels when you don't have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington [United's training ground].” Ten Hag hailed Rashford's mental fortitude for dealing with criticism, setbacks and off-field disciplinary issues, and regaining his form to remind the football world of his enduring quality.
“For every player who plays in the Premier League - but definitely in this club - you need to have some resilience,” said Ten Hag, with Rashford set to lead United's attack at Crystal Palace on Saturday. “No football career is only the way up, you always go down. You have to deal with it.
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“Marcus has also experienced that. He knows when there are setbacks, how to fight back, how to set his career and his performance. He took control of it and he's on the way back. He started the season very well - now he has to continue and to progress.”
With Lee Carsley set to name his second England squad for the October international break, Ten Hag hinted it would be no surprise to him if Rashford were to be handed a recall. “I think he will always be an option for every [England] manager,” said Ten Hag. “But it's not up to me.”
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