Erik ten Hag hails major change that’s transformed Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd fortunes and got him firing again

THE grin is backmost connected the look of Marcus Rashford.

For excessively agelong past play the Manchester United striker had stopped enjoying his football.

He looked similar helium had the value of the satellite connected his shoulders arsenic his signifier slumped and adjacent the Old Trafford assemblage started to crook against him.

In information helium had mislaid absorption and started enjoying the manner that comes with being a footballer alternatively than the crippled itself.

But the emotions connected his look arsenic helium shed tears successful beforehand of the Red Devils fans pursuing their 2-1 FA Cup last victory implicit neighbours Manchester City told you that the nine inactive meant everything to him.

Now aft a summer’s remainder helium is looking backmost to the antheral who chalked up career-best figures 2 seasons agone of 30 goals.

Boss Erik 10 Hag ne'er mislaid religion successful the player, contempt having his patience tested, due to the fact that helium knew the endowment helium inactive had.

A endowment that has been evident again successful the past 2 games with a goal against Southampton and 2 successful the 7-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of League One outfit Barnsley.

Now arsenic the nine hole for Saturday's tea-time kick-off distant to Crystal Palace, Ten Hag has praised Rashford, 26, for showing the spot of quality to bounce back.

The Dutchman said: “I deliberation each subordinate who plays successful the Premier League, but decidedly successful this club, you request immoderate resilience.

“Not immoderate shot vocation is lone the mode up, you ever spell down. You person to woody with it.

“Marcus has experienced it and knows erstwhile determination are setbacks however to combat back, however to acceptable his career, his performance.

“He took power of it and I deliberation helium is connected the mode back. He started the play precise good, present helium has to proceed and to progress.”

There is nary uncertainty that the accomplishment of United scoring fable Ruud van Nistelrooy, 48, connected to the coaching unit has helped Rashford refocus.

Ten Hag added: “Probably helium needed immoderate help, by backing him for instance.”

Which is what the gaffer did done the pugnacious times.

Although determination is small uncertainty that had it not been for an wounded situation astatine the nine past term, Rashford would person been staring astatine a prolonged clip connected the sidelines aft 1 peculiar misdemeanour.

He had already been warned astir his off-field behaviour erstwhile helium celebrated his day connected the evening aft United had been stuffed 3-0 astatine location successful the derby against City past October.

Off-field issues

Then helium was retired partying until the aboriginal hours of a Friday successful January erstwhile United were grooming up of an FA Cup crippled distant to Newport.

That is present successful the past and Rashford appears to person a caller focus, 1 which Ten Hag believes could pb to a callback to the England squad having missed retired connected the Euros.

Ten Hag said: “I deliberation helium volition ever beryllium an enactment for each manager but it is not up to me.”

There was a batch of societal media chatter astir Rashford not truly celebrating his goals against Barnsley, suggesting each is not well.

Perhaps helium is conscionable keeping it nether wraps portion helium builds his estimation again, and the hostile was a broadside being dominated wherever helium was player-of-the-match.

United brag Ten Hag was successful an upbeat temper connected Friday with a adjacent afloat acceptable squad to prime from for a alteration aft the wounded problems of past season, which helium has ever said led to their unspeakable eighth-place finish.

Injury returns

Both Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount returned to afloat grooming this week and are successful information for Saturday's squad.

Striker Hojlund, 21, has been retired with a hamstring wounded suffered during pre-season successful the US.

Midfielder Mount, 25, had his archetypal play with United decimated by wounded aft his determination from Chelsea.

Then aft starting successful the Community Shield nonaccomplishment to City and some the opening 2 Premier league games of the play helium was subbed astatine half-time astatine Brighton aft feeling his hamstring.

After his £55million power — rising to £60m — Mount is hopeless to beryllium helium is not different costly mistake astatine Old Trafford and Ten Hag is definite helium volition beryllium himself.

Ten Hag said: “We person already seen glimpses successful the commencement of the season, what helium is susceptible of.

“What helium needs is simply a longer play wherever helium tin bid afloat with the squad and play with the team.

“Then helium tin travel up to velocity and past everyone volition spot his qualities.

“I americium wholly convinced, I person seen successful the commencement of the play what helium tin bring to the team. I americium definite erstwhile helium is successful a longer tally helium volition truly improve.”