Gary Neville has praised Marcus Rashford for his positive attitude in the wake of his goalscoring return for Manchester United on Wednesday night.
Rashford, who starred in England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals earlier this month, has rediscovered his form this term after a rotten 12-month period. The 25-year-old was on the fringes of the United squad prior to Erik ten Hag's arrival and was even linked with a move away from Old Trafford last season.
The United Academy graduate has flourished under Ten Hag, who stressed earlier in the season that he wanted to see Rashford playing with a smile on his face again.
Former United favourite Neville, who was analysing United's 2-0 win over Burnley in the Carabao Cup, was quick to point out Rashford's happy demeanour and lauded the striker's positive mindset.
Neville told Sky Sports: “I think that is the hardest of the positions on the right that Marcus plays. He is better centrally and he is better on the left certainly. On the right, I think it is difficult for him at times but he looks more enthusiastic and more willing to play there at this moment in time and he makes the best of it.
“I thought generally he was happy in the warm-up, he looked like he was ready to come back. You think about the World Cup and the impact will have had on some of these teams, you have got the Brazilians out there and some of the English lads out there that have been knocked out in the quarter-final games.
“He has come back and looks like he is happy, and I think it is a good warm-up game to get back into the Premier League."
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Although Rashford's stock was low when Ten Hag arrived at United back in the summer, the former Ajax chief expressed how excited he was to work with the forward.
Rashford has certainly made the most of his opportunity for a fresh start under a new regime at Old Trafford: he has thrived playing in his favoured role as a central striker, netting nine goals in 20 games.
Ten Hag had predicted that Rashford would return to form once he started enjoying his football again. He said back in October: "I told him on day one, I want to see you smiling every day. We said that we would prepare the training sessions and then it’s up to you to love the training and give your best because when you feel pressure in training and enjoy it you will give your best.
"If you give your best you will improve and you will perform on the pitch. Then life is easy and your performance will go up."
