Erik: Rashford’s break was a positive

Friday 31 March 2023 14:31

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that Marcus Rashford is brimming with energy and motivation upon his return to the training pitch.

The boss explained in the first part of his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at Newcastle that Marcus was able to join back in with the group earlier today. 

Rashford was forced to withdraw from England duty over the recent international break due to a knock and, while recovering from that problem, the forward was able to take some time away from the game out in America, as he looks to recharge ahead of a busy run-in that awaits United.

"I think it's positive that he was in a break,” Erik explained about Marcus, when asked about our no.10’s period of time off. “Rashford, I think with Bruno [Fernandes], he was playing the most games of the whole squad.

Newcastle v United: Press conference Video

Newcastle v United: Press conference

Press conference part one | Erik discusses Rashford's fitness, contract situations, McTominay's goals and Newcastle...

“I think with Manchester United playing the most games across Europe, especially with the internationals, our internationals are not players who are mostly on the bench with their nations, mostly they are playing, so we our players played the most games in this crazy season. 

“So, they need also time that they can have a breather and they can collect energy. So, for me, it's positive that he took that time to turn off from football. 

“I've seen him back this week and he showed a lot of energy, a lot of motivation, so this training, as the whole team, was a really good session with a lot of spirit, but especially also with Marcus. I think, therefore, it was good."

Ten Hag was also asked about Rashford’s availability for the weekend, along with that of Anthony Martial, in the first part of his press conference. As well as that, the boss answered questions on Luke Shaw’s long-term future, Scott McTominay’s position, Newcastle’s tactics and more in the opening section of his media briefing this afternoon.

Below, you can see every question and answer from it, in full…

Hi Erik, just wondering what the situation with Marcus Rashford is? What was the injury and will he be available for the Newcastle game?
"I have good hope. He trained but he had to do some treatment, he had to do some individual training and, today, he joined in the group. I think we have one more day, so I have good hope he's available. I think so."

What is the issue? And, secondly, there has been some talk about his contract situation and negotiations, are you able to offer any information on how the negotiations are going?
"No, we never do. It's an internal process and we focus on winning games. Of course, we are also planning for the future so, in the back[ground], we are working on that but that is about agents, it's about football director John Murtough. We are focusing, Rashy and I, on performing."

Ten Hag reveals latest team news

 Article

The boss provides details on Marcus Rashford's situation ahead of the game at Newcastle.

Erik, you've spoken about not wanting to get into Marcus Rashford's future but there's news today that Luke Shaw has agreed a new long-term deal with Manchester United - reward for his performances? 
"If he signed, yeah! I don't know. I haven't heard until now, John didn't inform me until now so I have to wait for that but if it's true, I would be really pleased. Definitely, we want to keep him because he's a really important player for our team."

Is that the same with Rashford and David De Gea? You'd like them to remain at Manchester United?
"Yeah. True."

Erik, Marcus is having his best season since he broke through at Manchester United, I just wonder what you put that down to? What you've told him or what he's done himself that's made him transform his form this year, compared to where he was a year ago?

"It's not about just to talk [to him], I'm not Harry Potter, it's like a process. There are many tools you're putting in, so in your management, to let people get to their best form and their best shape. So, that is about the line-up, it's about way of play, that is about of course coaching, about talks - formal, informal - that's about coaches working with him. And especially, it's a lot about himself because he is the one and he has the skills so when he is in the best attitude, when he is in the best mentality, then he will score goals."

Is Anthony Martial available to play this weekend?
"He is training. So, for two weeks now. I think he can be in the squad for Sunday."

Read the positive news on Martial

 Article

Erik ten Hag gave an update on our no.9 during Friday's pre-Newcastle press conference.

Where he's not played a lot this season, and Wout [Weghorst] hasn't scored many goals, Scott McTominay has had a pretty terrific week with Scotland... as a striker for the Academy, would there be any scenario where you would consider him playing as a striker? I know when you brought him on earlier in the season against Chelsea, you put him up front, but would you do that more frequently?
"I think Scott can play in many roles, and it's clear, he has scoring capabilities, it's clear. We have seen it for Scotland but also this season for us, he is a really good finisher, yeah. But I see him as a midfielder, so I think I am happy with what Wout is doing because when Wout is in the team, the team is performing better."

Obviously Marcus has scored a career-best amount of goals this season, but is one thing that maybe the team is short of is that second player to be scoring like he is? Marcus has got 14 in the league, I think the next best is five, is that what this team is short of?
"I think we have players like Bruno, like Jadon Sancho, like Anthony Martial, like Scott McTominay, like Antony dos Santos, so I think we have players who have capabilities to score goals, definitely."

The problem with Anthony Martial is he's never available, so we can't have that scenario going into next season?
"What I said previously, I work in the back[ground] on next season but we're working now on this season. First of all, make sure everyone is available, so everyone is fit and then keep improving the way of play. That gives the best chance that we will score more goals."

Just on Sunday's game, you mentioned before the cup final that you were irritated by Newcastle, or that they can irritate you with their tactics, I think that you were concerned about timewasting, is that a concern going into the game on Sunday?
"A concern? We know they delay. That's something that the refereeing doesn't want, they want to have tempo in the game, that is the aim from the Premier League, to have tempo in the game. So, then they also have to be consistent to let the game go and do and act what the policy is."

Is that their only tactic that irritates you?
"You said the question but it's about us, like we did in the two previous games [against Newcastle], it's about us. We want, as every game, to dictate, control the game. We play against a good opponent, we are aware of that, they have a great season with their manager, with their way of play, that is really a team that is hard to beat. But we're looking forward to the challenge, and as we already had many challenges this season, and we have shown the evidence that we can beat them."

Can McTominay play as a striker?

 Article

The boss was quizzed on whether or not Scott could be deployed further forward for the Reds.

Marcus Rashford gained attention this week because he was in New York, you gave them a break and obviously he was injured and he flew to New York, a lot of other players do similar things, go on long breaks. Do you have a problem with that as a manager? Does it concern you that players are going on quite exhausting flights, quite long trips when they've got these short breaks in a season?
"I think it's positive that he was in a break. Rashford, I think with Bruno, he was playing the most games of the whole squad. I think with Manchester United playing the most games across Europe, especially with the internationals, our internationals are not players who are mostly on the bench with their nations, mostly they are playing, so we our players played the most games in this crazy season. So, they need also time that they can have a breather and they can collect energy. So, for me, it's positive that he took that time to turn off from football. I've seen him back this week and he showed a lot of energy, a lot of motivation, so this training, as the whole team, was a really good session with a lot of spirit, but especially also with Marcus. I think, therefore, it was good."

Did you say there a lot of players don't start for their international teams?
"No, I said they start. I think they start, like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Bruno, Casemiro. They are starters for their nations. They have the most games, that's what I want to emphasise. They have the most games across the season so far. We play an extra round in the Europa League, we play all the cup games."

And a trip like New York allows a player to mentally switch off as well as physically, [doesn't it]?

"I think."

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