Erik ten Hag proves his Marcus Rashford goal-scorer prediction right

Erik ten Hag has explained how he has proved his summer goal-scorer comments right as Marcus Rashford nets his 21st goal of the season.

Marcus Rashford‘s form under Erik ten Hag this season has been unfolding perfectly, with the winger by far and away Manchester United‘s primary goal threat, and scoring some crucial goals along the way – most recently against Leeds United in a 2-0 victory.

There was a significant section of the United fanbase who wanted to see Rashford sold in the summer, with PSG hovering around his entourage and his agents having conversations with the French club.

However, fast forward eight months, and Rashford has become the poster boy of the club and a unanimous fan favourite to the Old Trafford faithful, cementing his relationship even further with every goal he scores.

Erik ten Hag has always been incredibly favourable towards Rashford, time and time again expressing his absolute faith in Rashford’s abilities as a Manchester United forward – and has been duly rewarded so far this campaign.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Ten Hag has reminded everyone of his words back in August, claiming that United already had a 20-goal a season forward in Rashford.

“(People asked me) ‘do you think you have a player in your squad who can score 20 goals?’ in August or September, and I confirmed: ‘I think he can do it’,” Ten Hag said.

Read More: Player ratings as Rashford and Garnacho seal victory against Leeds

However, Ten Hag also mentioned that just because Rashford has hit 20+ goals, he should by no means slow down or think he’s done enough.

“But now, if (he is) satisfied with it, then it will stop; because satisfaction leads to laziness,” he continued. “You have to keep investing every day, but when he is keeping the investment, and keeping the focus, every game and bring the energy and belief, then he will score.

“He will keep scoring, and so then I don’t know where it will stop, but he has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things.”

Rashford, ahead of the 2-0 victory against Leeds, paid homage to Ten Hag’s impact on his brilliant form, saying: “He’s played an important role.

“He and his staff came in with a new energy and a new mentality and for me it was great. I hope we can keep the momentum going.”

Continuing to speak on the victory against Leeds, Ten Hag outlined what he sees as the “key factor” in the victory:

“To play football, eh. A long time in the game we didn’t. Our pass security was not that good, our players have better skills than making so many passing mistakes and then you don’t get composure and calmness in the game,” he told MUTV.

Read More: Five things learned as Manchester United grab all three points at Elland Road

Manchester United’s next fixture will be a long-awaited and much-anticipated clash against Barcelona in the Europa League.

Ten Hag’s men will travel to Spain for the first leg, and will be without Lisandro Martinez, who is suspended for the fixture due to yellow card accumulation. They will, however, welcome back Casemiro to the starting XI, with the Brazilian currently serving a three match ban in the Premier League.