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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Erik ten Hag told Marcus Rashford problem at Manchester United

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes there is an over-reliance on Marcus Rashford's goals this season with other attackers not producing.

Rashford has enjoyed the best season of his career so far, his 27 goals in all competitions already a personal record with two months and up to 18 games left. But while his incredible numbers are a positive, the fact that he has netted more than three times anyone else at United remains of concern - Bruno Fernandes is the only other player in double figures on 10.

It also presents Erik ten Hag with the problem of finding goals when Rashford is not on song, as was the case in Sunday's defeat at Newcastle. Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January to add goals, but despite starting 19 consecutive games since, the Dutchman has scored just two goals.

ALSO READ: Every word from Erik ten Hag's pre-Brentford press conference

"Every manager wants to do more in the window," Ince told Sportingpost.com. "Every manager wants to bring in more players. Sometimes it’s not doable, sometimes you can’t get the players you want in January because clubs aren’t letting them go. Maybe Weghorst was one of a few options for him given the ability to bring him in on loan.

"When you look at his time at Burnley he didn’t score a lot of goals and you look at his performances he isn’t an out-and-out goalscorer. He’s had many good chances where he could have scored and that tells me he’s not an out-and-out goalscorer, he’s not a Harry Kane or a Ronaldo, he’s not prolific.

"He comes short, he holds it up and links well with the midfield. That’s why it’s been so important that Rashford has been so good with his goals. If you take Marcus out the game like Newcastle did, then Manchester United struggle to score goals or create goals.

"If you look at last year the amount of goals Bruno Fernandes scored, this year there aren’t a lot of goal scorers in the team. Their reliance on Rashford is there to see and I’m sure Ten Hag will want others to contribute, such as Anthony, Sancho, Martial. I think it’s tough but as it’s going along Ten Hag is finding out where he wants to be, what needs to change, what doesn’t need to change."

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