Ten Hag hails ‘unstoppable’ Man Utd star and provides Rashford update amid injury fears

News Desk
Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford clutches his ribs

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag praised the “unstoppable” Marcus Rashford after his brilliant goal against Nottingham Forest helped his side put one foot in the Carabao Cup final.

Rashford scored for the 10th time in 10 games since the World Cup to put United on course for a comprehensive 3-0 first-leg semi-final win at the City Ground.

The 25-year-old is arguably the in-form player in the country at the moment and produced a moment of individual brilliance as he ran 50 yards and then converted at the near post.

Wout Weghorst’s first goal for the club and Bruno Fernandes’ late strike means that only a miraculous turnaround in next week’s second leg at Old Trafford will stop United from reaching the February final.

If Rashford continues this form, having scored in every round of the League Cup so far, he could well fire Man Utd to silverware which would end a five-year trophy drought.

Ten Hag said: “There are more players who are playing really well but I am happy with Marcus’ performance and his development.

“From the start of the season he is growing and he keeps doing that and what we have to aim for with him, and he is responsible for that, is to keep this process going.

“If he is in this mood, this spirit, he is unstoppable and it’s about the team to get him in the right positions.

“Also, possession, we have a plan but finally is also the intuition, the creativity of an individual like Rashy is to create chances.”

The Dutchman was also pleased to see January recruit Weghorst break his duck after his loan move from Burnley.

“For strikers, it’s always important (to score),” he said. “I think he did a great job at Crystal Palace and Arsenal with pressing, with targets and movements.

“The goal from Bruno at Crystal Palace, he was part of it because he makes the right movement to the front post.

“The goal of Rashford at Arsenal, he was part of it by dragging the centre half away but strikers are there to score goals and when they don’t score they’re not happy.

“So it’s important for him, for his confidence as well that he scored that goal. And this is one of the ways to score goals – by being in the box, being present.”

There were some concerns when Man Utd forward Rashford was subbed off on 57 minutes for Alejandro Garnacho because of what looked like an elbow to the chest.

Ten Hag addded: “We had already planned the substitute. Marcus Rashford did his job and scored another goal so we were in a good position.

“Alejandro Garnacho is really hungry to play games and to get minutes and also to come into the team.”

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