Erik ten Hag has shed light on Marcus Rashford's dip in form this season, attributing it to a combination of factors involving both the player and the team. The Manchester United forward has faced criticism for his underwhelming performance, having scored only eight goals in all competitions this season compared to 30 goals in the previous season.
Ten Hag acknowledged that Rashford and himself are aware of the reasons behind the decline in form. He emphasized the improvement in the team's attacking game post-winter but admitted that it was lacking before. The manager highlighted the interplay between Rashford's individual performance and the team dynamics as crucial factors affecting his output.
Rashford, in response to the criticism, labeled it as 'abuse' on social media. The scrutiny has particularly focused on his perceived lack of effort in certain matches. Ten Hag stated that he would address any shortcomings in Rashford's off-the-ball contributions by providing feedback supported by data analysis.
The manager hinted at internal discussions with Rashford regarding his performance this season, indicating that it is an ongoing matter within the team. Rashford's absence from the upcoming Premier League game against Burnley due to injury further complicates United's quest for European qualification.
Ten Hag expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete for a top-four finish when all players are fit. However, he acknowledged the gap between United and the top two teams in the league, emphasizing the need for squad reinforcement in key positions during the upcoming transfer window.
The manager stressed the importance of strengthening the squad's quality, depth, and overall competitiveness to bridge the current gap with the league leaders. He highlighted the lessons learned from the current season and urged the club to make strategic signings to enhance their title challenge prospects in the future.
