Erik ten Hag sets Marcus Rashford as a goal for FORTY goals for next season…
- Marcus Rashford scored his 30th goal of the season against Chelsea midway through the week
- Man United boss Erik Ten Hag believes that the attacker can be improved
- The Red Devils are associated with various strikers in the run-up to the transfer period
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told Marcus Rashford he can score 40 goals next season.
The England striker scored against Chelsea on Thursday to become the first United player to score 30 in all competitions in a season since Robin van Persie did a decade ago in United’s last Championship season.
The 25-year-old still has time to add to his scoring against Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday in the final league game before Saturday’s FA Cup final clash with Manchester City.
But the 25-year-old hasn’t had time to reflect on his achievement before setting new goals.
While Erling Haaland’s record-breaking goals in Manchester at champions City may be beyond him, Ten Hag believes there is still room for Rashford to be even more productive in front of goal.
Marcus Rashford scored his 30th goal of the season in Man United’s 4–1 win over Chelsea
Man United boss Erik ten Hag believes the English striker can score 40 goals next season
“I think so,” said the Dutchman. “There is a lot of room for improvement in his game.
“I’m convinced he can score even more. For example, if you look at the last ten games, he scored few goals. I think only two or three, so yes, he can improve.
“I’m happy with what he did last season until now that he’s bringing himself back. We supported him where we could, with the way we play but also in his mentality.
We are happy with that, but we need to push him more. I think he is capable of scoring 40 goals in a season. So that’s the next step for him.’
Despite four goals against a porous Chelsea on Thursday, United are the lowest scorer in the top six with just 56 in their 37 games.
Ten Hag clearly believes the current side is capable of adding more goals, although it hasn’t been helped by the mid-season loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial’s injury woes and Mason Greenwood’s suspension over allegations of rape and assault now dismissed. dropped.
And while Rashford’s goal-scoring exploits have eased some of the pressure, signing a striker in the summer is likely to be a priority as United have been linked with everyone from Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane to Brighton prodigy Evan Ferguson.
“We need more scoring ability in the whole team.” added Ten Hag. You can’t depend on one. But it can also come from this team.’
Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson are among the forwards linked to the club
With a top four finish and a return to the Champions League now secured, thanks to winning the Carabao Cup – their first trophy in six seasons – Ten Hag may have already turned his attention to Wembley.
There is no doubt that stopping City’s Treble bid would be a huge credit to Ten Hag’s cap, his focus remaining firmly on his long-term vision rather than the here and now.
When asked if the final was a free hit or a chance to make a statement for next season, he added: “Neither not, but when I was here a year ago I said we wanted to win trophies. We won one so we want to go for the highest.
‘It’s a long road and it will be a project. It’s not more than a year. We’re talking two or three years. But if there is a chance to win a trophy, it is huge for any player.
“I have to count, but there aren’t that many players in our squad who have won the FA Cup. An FA Cup is huge. For everyone in the world there is one Champions League, there are so many titles, but if the FA Cup is all over the world, it is worldwide, huge reputation. I know from the Netherlands how big the FA Cup is.
So we have a chance to win it. We are also realistic that it is not going to be easy. But I can assure you one thing: we will give everything in our power to get the cup.’