Erik ten Hag highlights role of unexpected Man United player for Marcus Rashford’s goal in 2-0 win vs Leeds

Erik ten Hag was happy with the role of several players as Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for Manchester United at Elland Road against Leeds United.

Rashford, 25, scored a wonderful header minutes before Alejandro Garnacho doubled United’s lead to bring all three points back to Manchester.

The opening goal was yet another brilliant one to add to the catalogue of well-worked moves under Ten Hag.

After probing the Leeds frontline, Marcel Sabizter was able to spread the play to the left side expertly. Luke Shaw picked up the ball and crossed into Rashford, who headed into the far corner.

Wout Weghorst was also involved, making a darting run across the front post to help create space for the Englishman to score his 21st of the season.

“If you have a better formation and calmness on the ball, you get switches of play or can play the extra pass – like we did for the goal,” Ten Hag explained to reporters.

“Then finally, Shaw with a great cross and Marcus was in the right place there. It was also good movement from Wout Weghorst at the front post.”

With both Shaw and Rashford directly contributing to the goal, it was expected that the manager would mention them, but his praise of the Dutch striker shows exactly why he continues to start despite scoring just once so far for The Reds.

Ten Hag has previously cited the movement and ability of the Dutchman as an aid for those around him, including Rashford, and is not disheartened by his goal tally thus far.

“He is the one who makes players around him play better,” Ten Hag said earlier this week.

“As a team we have to work better to anticipate his movements because his movements are good, and quite a lot of times he was close [to scoring].

“He had many good actions and already a lot of good contributions to our results. He will score, but in the meantime he will do the other stuff, and do it good.”