Rashford: I’m in a better headspace
Marcus Rashford’s thumping first-half header was enough to seal Manchester United a vital 1-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday, lifting the Reds to fifth in the Premier League table.
Our no.10 has been one of the key beneficiaries of Ten Hag’s arrival as manager in the summer, and has now recorded seven goals for the Reds this term – the most of any United player so far.
After scoring for the fifth time against the Hammers, and reaching a century of goals for United in the process, Marcus spoke to various media outlets.
The in-form winger explained what has changed for him this season, after enduring a difficult campaign last year.
Rashford reacts to 100th United goal
Man-of-the-moment Marcus Rashford gives his thoughts on our West Ham win, on a landmark day for him personally...
“To be honest, it’s a complete different energy around the whole club and the training ground,” he said. “That for a start puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now.
“That’s where I really struggled at times [last season]. More just mental things and not really my own performance.
“It was other things off the pitch and that’s the biggest difference from this season.”
The 24-year-old was thrilled to hit the illustrious 100-goal landmark for the Reds, just hours before his 25th birthday, and sees it as a great springboard to move forward.
“It’s obviously a fantastic moment for me,” he said “[It’s] something I've been looking forward to doing, so I'm really happy.
“But I'm just looking to keep pushing on now, keep progressing.”
Rashford reaches huge United landmark
ArticleMarcus has become just the 22nd Red to manage this particular feat, following his header against West Ham.
The striker rose high above the helpless Thilo Kehrer to get on the end of Christian Eriksen’s cross, giving United the lead after 38 minutes.
Increasing his aerial prowess is something Marcus says he’s been working on.
“It's a nice feeling when you connect like that with the ball in the air,” he said of his goal. “I always feel like I need to be scoring more goals in those situations, because I feel like when I get in the areas, I have good attributes to be scoring them types of goals.
“It's something I've been working on recently so I'm looking to keep doing that, keep getting in the areas and trying to get on the end of crosses."
Manchester United 1 West Ham 0
ArticleMarcus Rashford's 100th goal for United was enough earn the Reds three points against the Hammers.
Marcus also expressed his happiness at the result, after a strong defensive display by the Reds denied West Ham, who bombarded our box in the closing stages.
“It’s hard work [to win like that],” he admitted. “I don’t think we played our best today, but I think if we want to reach our ambitions for the season then we’re going to have to win games like that.
“We obviously want to perform better, but it’s nice to win in that way as well.”