Erik ten Hag warns Marcus Rashford he has to ‘set his life right’ if the £300k-per-week winger wants to rediscover his best Old Trafford form and an England recall
Erik ten Hag warns that Marcus Rashford must maintain the right lifestyle if he wants to perform at the top level again at Manchester United.
Rashford has scored three times in United’s last two games against Southampton and Barnsley, returning to some of the form that saw him score 30 goals in Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford.
But the 26-year-old’s performances plummeted last season after signing a new £300,000-a-week contract, drawing criticism from Ten Hag for missing training after a 12-hour tequila binge in Belfast and for going to a nightclub after United’s Manchester derby defeat in October.
In preparation for Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Ten Hag was asked whether Rashford has learned from the experience.
He replied: ‘I think he always knew it, and every player knows it, because if your lifestyle is not good you cannot perform.
Erik ten Hag has warned that Marcus Rashford (pictured) must adopt the right lifestyle if he wants to perform at his best again.
Rashford had a poor season at United last season but has shown more potential this season
The United winger opened his Premier League account in his side’s recent 3-0 win over Southampton
“You don’t get to the right level if you don’t have a good, disciplined life outside of Carrington.”
Rashford could count on the support of Ten Hag and the guidance of his assistant, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“He probably needed some help, maybe some support,” the United manager added.
“Ultimately, he has to do it himself. He has to get his life in order, get his training attitude in order, get his match attitude in order. If he gets his professionalism in order, he will perform because he is a class player.
‘Marcus Rashford knows how to bounce back from adversity, how to define his career and his performances. He took control and I think he is on the way back. He has started the season very well, now he has to keep going and keep progressing.’
The 26-year-old’s performances dropped alarmingly last season after signing a new £300,000-a-week contract
Rashford missed training after a 12-hour tequila party in Belfast and went to nightclubs after United lost the Manchester derby in October 2023
The striker scored twice in United’s 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday
Rashford pictured at a party with friends, posing for the camera outside the football pitch
Rashford is hoping for an England recall when caretaker manager Lee Carsley names his squad for next month’s Nations League games against Greece and Finland.
Ten Hag said: ‘I think he will always be an option for any manager, but that is not up to me.’