Erik ten Hag hails major change that’s transformed Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd fortunes and got him firing again

THE smile is back on the face of Marcus Rashford.

For too long last season the Manchester United striker had stopped enjoying his football.

He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as his form slumped and even the Old Trafford crowd started to turn against him.

In truth he had lost focus and started enjoying the lifestyle that comes with being a footballer rather than the game itself.

But the emotions on his face as he shed tears in front of the Red Devils fans following their 2-1 FA Cup final victory over neighbours Manchester City told you that the club still meant everything to him.

Now after a summer’s rest he is looking back to the man who chalked up career-best figures two seasons ago of 30 goals.

Boss Erik ten Hag never lost faith in the player, despite having his patience tested, because he knew the talent he still had.

A talent that has been evident again in the last two games with a goal against Southampton and two in the 7-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of League One outfit Barnsley.

Now as the club prepare for Saturday’s tea-time kick-off away to Crystal Palace, Ten Hag has praised Rashford, 26, for showing the strength of character to bounce back.

The Dutchman said: “I think every player who plays in the Premier League, but definitely in this club, you need some resilience.

“Not any football career is only the way up, you always go down. You have to deal with it.

“Marcus has experienced it and knows when there are setbacks how to fight back, how to set his career, his performance.

“He took control of it and I think he is on the way back. He started the season very good, now he has to continue and to progress.”

There is no doubt that the arrival of United scoring legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, 48, on to the coaching staff has helped Rashford refocus.

Ten Hag added: “Probably he needed some help, by backing him for instance.”

Which is what the gaffer did through the tough times.

Although there is little doubt that had it not been for an injury crisis at the club last term, Rashford would have been staring at a prolonged time on the sidelines after one particular misdemeanour.

He had already been warned about his off-field behaviour when he celebrated his birthday on the evening after United had been stuffed 3-0 at home in the derby against City last October.

Off-field issues

Then he was out partying until the early hours of a Friday in January when United were training ahead of an FA Cup game away to Newport.

That is now in the past and Rashford appears to have a new focus, one which Ten Hag believes could lead to a recall to the England squad having missed out on the Euros.

Ten Hag said: “I think he will always be an option for every manager but it is not up to me.”

There was a lot of social media chatter about Rashford not really celebrating his goals against Barnsley, suggesting all is not well.

Perhaps he is just keeping it under wraps while he builds his reputation again, and the opponent was a side being dominated where he was player-of-the-match.

United boss Ten Hag was in an upbeat mood on Friday with a near fully fit squad to pick from for a change after the injury problems of last season, which he has always said led to their terrible eighth-place finish.

Injury returns

Both Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount returned to full training this week and are in consideration for Saturday’s squad.

Striker Hojlund, 21, has been out with a hamstring injury suffered during pre-season in the US.

Midfielder Mount, 25, had his first season with United decimated by injury after his move from Chelsea.

Then after starting in the Community Shield loss to City and both the opening two Premier league games of the season he was subbed at half-time at Brighton after feeling his hamstring.

After his £55million switch — rising to £60m — Mount is desperate to prove he is not another expensive mistake at Old Trafford and Ten Hag is sure he will prove himself.

Ten Hag said: “We have already seen glimpses in the start of the season, what he is capable of.

“What he needs is a longer period where he can train fully with the team and play with the team.

“Then he can come up to speed and then everyone will see his qualities.

“I am totally convinced, I have seen in the start of the season what he can bring to the team. I am sure once he is in a longer run he will really improve.”