Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has hailed the remarkable form of Marcus Rashford - just 12 months after giving him the green light to quit Old Trafford.
Rashford struggled to make an impact under Rangnick, who was brought in to steady the ship following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But he has been reinvigorated by Erik ten Hag this term and currently tops United's scoring charts with 29 goals in 50 games.
The England star is set for fresh talks with the club hierarchy over a new deal in the wake his stunning renaissance. And Rangnick, who is now the head coach of the Austrian national team, has paid tribute to the Manchester United academy graduate.
In an interview with German outlet SPORT1, Rangnick discussed his troubled Old Trafford tenure. He said: “Of course it wasn't an easy time. The time to get there back then, there could have been cheaper ones. Obviously, the club has recognized the signs of the times.
“Many of the things that we discussed internally back then have now been implemented. They brought in a lot of new players. Other players who, for various reasons, were not able to perform at their best back then are now in top form again when they are fit. I think of Marcus Rashford. Luke Shaw is fit again at the moment and doesn't have any major injury problems anymore.
“They are now a team again, so of course there were certain problems for certain reasons. You now have the opportunity to develop as a team again that they end up in the top four this year . I think you can say that now. And now in the FA Cup final against [Manchester] City they even have a chance to win a second title.”
While Rangnick has acknowledged Rashford's stunning form, he was fairly nonchalant about the 25-year-old last March, when speculation over his long-term future was rife.
Join the debate! Do you think Rashford can emulate his recent form next season? Let us know here.
And amid reports that Rashford was unhappy with his game-time after being relegated to a bit-part role, Rangnick even suggested that the United star could seek a move if he was unhappy at the club.
“I don't think that he's not had enough game time,” Rangnick said last March. “He's had 13 or 14 games since I've been here now. He's played more games from the start than he didn't play from the start.
“I don't think this is an issue and he never said anything about that when we spoke yesterday. But again, the window is closed right now. Even, suppose he and his agents or his family at one stage of the summer think about maybe going to another club, well then he can do that, but in the summer.”
Thankfully, it appears that neither Rashford nor United were willing to consider such a move. And with talks over a new deal still on the agenda, there is every chance that the Red Devils academy graduate will continue to ply his trade at Old Trafford for years to come.
