Erik ten Hag says he has a lot of sympathy for Marcus Rashford as his forward continues to perform at levels everyone knows he is above.
Rashford recorded his best goalscoring season last term with 30 goals across all competitions, but with just two goals in his last 10 league matches more questions are being asked of the England international.
The 26-year-old, who has recently hit out at critics on social media, looks like a player going through the motions on the pitch. It makes for difficult viewing when fans know he is capable of being a lethal threat on the flank.
Ten Hag spoke to reporters about Rashford this afternoon and it is clear that he is standing by the out-of-form forward.
“I’ve a lot of sympathy for Rashy, of course,” Ten Hag said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “Last year, he has a brilliant season. I think the best season in his career, he scored 30 goals. This season, he didn’t give the performances and people have been very critical. We have to back him and everyone should back him to get back to the levels of last year.”
This is something we mentioned on this week’s episode of the Stretty News. It raises questions over whether some of the criticism is over the top, or whether it is in any way constructive.
Ten Hag added: “I think he needs the support. We all know what he’s capable of, we all have to support and push him. He can do better than this year. We saw last year when he was really brilliant.”
With Ten Hag calling for Rashford to get more support, the manager also alluded to how match-going fans always get behind the team. He acknowledged United’s incredible away following too, saying: “I think the fans are behind us always. We are entering Old Trafford, I heard the reception. Wednesday was louder than I have heard. Also away: always supportive, backing the team and there is a very good connection between the team and the fans.”
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