“It was brilliant” – Benni McCarthy’s role in Marus Rashford’s resurgence praised

Ian Wright has detailed the impact of Benni McCarthy at Manchester United as one of the reasons behind Marcus Rashford’s resurgence this season.

Rashford, 25, has scored 21 goals so far this season for United, including four headed goals – two of which have come in the last two games.

Erik ten Hag added Benni McCarthy to his coaching staff at the beginning of the campaign in order to have an offensive-focused man in his backroom staff.

“In our coaching staff, we had a lot of defenders and midfield players,” Ten Hag said last month.

“I wanted also to find a good balance. He [McCarthy] is offensive [minded] as he is a former striker and that is also a really specific job task in the team. I never played there, so I’m [always] lucky to have someone in my staff who played there.”

Rashford seems to be taking benefit from having the experience of McCarthy at Carrington, with his movement for the first goal against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday being a clear example of that.

“I think the acquisition of Benni McCarthy, a striker coach, has helped him,” Wright said on Match of the Day 2 when discussing Rashford’s form.

“When you look at the movement for that goal – like Harry Maguire talking about how his heading has improved – it was brilliant. And that says to me that someone like Benni McCarthy’s working very closely with him. He’s improved no end.”

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United’s no.10 has also personally praised the role of the 45-year-old since he came to the club in the summer.

“He’s definitely helped me a lot,” Rashford said of McCarthy back in November. “To have them attack-minded coaches is good for us in the squad, he’s always there speaking to us about these things.”