Explaining Marcus Rashford’s resurgence under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

It was looking bleak for Marcus Rashford last season but he’s completely turned his form around at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

The 25-year-old forward already has 11 goals and four assists so far this term. In comparison, he scored five and assisted twice during the 2021/22 campaign.

His latest came against Wolves on the weekend and those three points propelled United into the top four for the first time this season.

Every time he’s on the pitch it seems inevitable that he’ll be causing a boatload of trouble for opposition defenders. His confidence is flying higher than ever before, he’s scoring goals and he’s happy on the pitch once again. His teammates are absolutely pleased with his turnaround as well.

But what has actually changed?

It seemed that Rashford began to stop believing in himself – he has admitted on multiple occasions that he struggled mentally last season – and with that came fewer runs into dangerous areas, thus fewer chances to score goals.

Finishing has always blown hot and cold for the Englishman and that was the case towards the beginning of the season, but Ten Hag believed that the goals would be coming if he continued to apply himself in the final third.

The Dutch manager told reporters in August: “With his movements, he will always create chances, the team will create him chances and he has to believe that he and the team will do that and it’s about getting the right finish. I’m convinced of that, that he can stick in that belief, yes.”

Whether he’s coming from the left or playing as the central striker, Rashford is looking to get the ball in dangerous areas.

Notice below, how when Antony’s cutting inside from the right, Rashford is the furthest forward and right against the last line. He’s calling for the cross towards the back post, where he’s found space to exploit in the backline. This time around the pass does not come but he keeps making the runs that his manager wants.

One aspect that Rashford has improved greatly this season is his decision-making in possession. He looks far more comfortable and confident when he has the ball at his feet. He’s not running into traffic as much, instead picking his head up and finding the right passes.

When the ball comes to him on the left side of the box below, you would’ve expected the Rashford of last season to take a touch and run at the man but probably fail to create a chance from the position. Instead, it’s a first-time pass straight into Anthony Martial’s feet, who swivels and sets Bruno Fernandes up for a shot that is subsequently blocked.

More importantly, however, is the fact that Rashford is doing exactly what we expect him to do: making himself an absolute nuisance for defenders.

Whether it’s those runs in behind or receiving the ball at his feet and running at a man. He’s doing it all with the confidence and swagger of a younger Rashford who burst onto the scene. No fear. But now, with increased strength and some improved decision-making.

His goal against Wolves is the best example of this. Direct when he gets the ball but doesn’t do it all by himself. He plays a one-two with Fernandes, taking one player out of the game and then shows incredible strength and balance when parading through the next two Wolves defenders. He has an opening for a shot, a Wolves player is sliding towards the forward though, he instead opts to take a further touch to create a better shooting angle and makes no mistake with the finish.

It had a little bit of everything that makes him so dangerous to play against. His game against Wolves was only 45 minutes long, after being demoted to the bench for oversleeping for a team meeting (yes, he’s human too), but it was all he needed.

When you’re doing the right things on the pitch, matched with the correct mentality and a manager that is pushing you to succeed, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing Rashford excel for United once again.