Ex-Man United striker scared by Erik ten Hag’s answer to Marcus Rashford question

Michael Owen has criticised Erik ten Hag’s comments about Marcus Rashford’s mentality following United’s 3-1 defeat away at rivals Manchester City.

Rashford, 26, has struggled on and off the pitch so far this season in comparison to his world-class 30 goals that the Englishman netted for Erik ten Hag’s side last year.

United’s No. 10 has found the back of the net just six times in 33 appearances in all competitions thus far, with his latest contribution to that tally being the thunderous strike against Manchester City this past weekend.

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Often criticised for his negative body language by fans and pundits alike, Rashford has become a frustrated figure on the field as many question his commitment to the club, although Ten Hag has revealed that the forward is playing through injuries.

A regular in the Dutchman’s side Rashford seems to have the trust of his manager, however, speaking before the Manchester Derby Ten Hag alluded to the 26-year-old himself, being the reason why he hasn’t regained his sensational form.

“What he [Rashford] can take from the past is that he can score a lot of goals. He can score against the biggest opponents in the world and against the best defenders in the world. It’s just about him; if he has his attitude right on Sunday, he is unstoppable.”

This comment hasn’t sat right with Ex-United striker and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen as the 44-year-old told Premier League Productions: “If I was Marcus Rashford and watching that interview we saw with Erik ten Hag, he was saying ‘if Marcus Rashford’s attitude is right he can be a top player and score goals for Manchester United’.

“If my manager was saying something like that, I would be like ‘Woah’. That’s your manager saying it.

“He is bringing out a statement ‘Oh, fans are questioning me. People are questioning me’. Your manager has just questioned you. Your manager has just said ‘If he has the right attitude, he could be the difference-maker.

“That would scare me if a manager said that about me ‘if Michael Owen’s attitude is right’ – it’s not fans, not us, it’s your own manager who is questioning you as well. That should make him sit up and think ‘Right, I have got to address this’. It’s about doing it on the pitch.”