Erik ten Hag reveals what he told Marcus Rashford at the beginning of the season

Marcus Rashford scored his fourth headed goal of the season during Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Leeds on Sunday – and his second in two games.

Marcus Rashford has scored back-to-back headers against Leeds United this week, helping Manchester United to all three points on Sunday afternoon as United pulled away from 5th-placed Tottenham in the race for the top four.

Much has been made of Rashford’s brilliant improvement under Erik ten Hag this season, with the Englishman notching his 21st goal of the season to give United a late lead against Leeds United before Alejandro Garnacho rounded proceedings off in a 2-0 victory.

Read More: Player ratings as Manchester United defeat Leeds 2-0 at Elland Road

“He’s played an important role,” Rashford told Sky Sports pre-match when asked how Ten Hag has influenced his recent form. “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.”

For the goal, Rashford latched on to a brilliant cross from Luke Shaw in a fixture where he was fairly starved of service. Ten Hag has revealed that he told Marcus Rashford that as long as he puts himself in the position to score every game, the goals will follow.

“What a strike!” exclaimed Ten Hag when speaking to Sky Sports about the headed finish.

“That’s what he’s aiming for every game. I told him at the start of the season, every game you will be in the position to score and you have the capabilities to score, it’s about keeping focus – if he does that, he scores.”

Rashford has been receiving many shouts recently as one of the best forwards in Europe due to his scintillating form in 2023 – no player has scored more goals than Marcus Rashford this calendar year.

Read More: Five things learned as Manchester United grab two late goals against Leeds

“Definitely one of (the best strikers in Europe at the moment),” agreed the Dutch manager. “I was convinced from the first moment. I was really excited to work with him. I thought I could get more out of him. He has such high potential.”

Speaking more on the header to MUTV, Ten Hag said: “It’s about arriving in the right moment. Our players will give him the ball and it’s to do with belief. In every game he will get chances because he has the capabilities. Then it’s about mental, keep the focus and the belief.”

Manchester United’s win against Leeds took them second in the Premier League, although Manchester City‘s victory over Aston Villa on Sunday evening means they will remain in third place once the game week comes to a close.