Erik ten Hag suggests Man United star needs ‘kick up the a**’ amid dire form

Erik ten Hag has suggested that Marcus Rashford could use a “kick up the ass’ to refind his form at Manchester United this season.

Rashford, 26, has seen his form fall off a cliff after his most successful goalscoring campaign last term. The left-winger netted 30 times, including once in the Carabao Cup final success.

It was the first time a Manchester United player reached that tally since Robin van Persie in 2012/13, but so far this season, Rashford has scored just twice.

The England international has come under major criticism, too, for his lack of work out of possession, and he looks fragile when opportunities arise in front of goal.

Ten Hag confirmed that Rashford will return to the squad against Liverpool after an illness kept him out against Bayern Munich in midweek.

Ahead of the game, asked about how Rashford best responds to attempts to galvanise his form, Ten Hag explained that there are two main approaches that he takes towards most players.

“So, I think any player almost, sometimes it’s an arm around the shoulder, sometimes a kick in the ass,” he stated.

“It can make a difference in the management which approach you are taking, a kick in the a** or an arm around the shoulder,” added Ten Hag, with a wry smile suggesting he’s taking the latter with the forward despite previously opting for the ‘arm around the shoulder’ approach.

Rashford, despite being in poor form, might be one of United’s only chances to get something away at Anfield on Sunday.

He has scored six times against Liverpool during his career, the most of any current United player, with three of those coming during the club’s last two Premier League victories against their rivals.

Yet, United have not scored a goal at Anfield since 2018 and were embarrassed 7-0 there last term. It’s a huge task if Ten Hag’s side are to get anything from the game.

Kick-off is set for 16:30 GMT, with live UK coverage being on Sky Sports Main Event from 16:00 GMT.