Erik ten Hag has backed striker Marcus Rashford to have a prolific goalscoring season after he endured criticism from fans on Saturday and ended his six-month scoring drought.
Rashford had not scored in 13 Premier League games until he netted in the 41st minute of Manchester United’s 3-0 win over newly promoted Southampton, his first since the 2-0 win over Everton on March 9.
Ten Hag has been questioned over starting Rashford, but he said ahead of Saturday’s game that the 26-year-old only needs one goal or assist to “fly”.
Ten Hag can only hope that a positive afternoon really opens the floodgates for his striker, who scored just eight goals in all competitions last season but has now scored 30 goals in 2022-23, his debut season in Manchester.
“It is very important,” the manager said after Saturday’s win, which saw United take six points from four Premier League games.
“Every striker wants to get on the scoresheet. Once you get in first, more come out. There was a story about a striker talking about a ketchup bottle, once you get in, more come out.”
Striker Rashford’s individual training during the recent international break has led to his performances.
He has been left out of the England squad for Euro 2024 and was not selected for the matches against Finland and the Republic of Ireland.
After being criticised for his poor performances early in the season, he remained in Manchester during the break, working with RH Elite coaching and investing most of his time in finishing work.
Rashford missed a United corner in the 41st minute on Saturday and curled a diagonal shot into the far corner.
New signings Matthijs de Ligt and Alejandro Garnazzo added United’s other goals, while goalkeeper Andre Onana saved Cameron Archer’s penalty which proved to be the turning point.
Ten Hag’s men have no time to rest on their much-needed win as they face Barnsley in the League Cup on Tuesday.
