Manchester United has been concentrating on enhancing the performance of their leading players, with a particular focus on Marcus Rashford.
Rashford began to meet these expectations with an outstanding pre-season performance in the 3-2 win against Real Betis.
He played for over an hour before being substituted following a late tackle, but he seemed upbeat after the match. For Erik ten Hag, restoring Rashford to his top form is crucial, and scoring goals, including from penalties, can help boost his confidence.
### Marcus Rashford’s Return to Form
In past seasons, Rashford has faced criticism for his body language, which often suggested a lack of confidence or drive. United expert Andy Mitten mentioned earlier this week that he has heard positive feedback about Rashford this pre-season, a contrast to previous years. MUTV pundit Danny Webber also highlighted Rashford’s impressive performance during a training session on the USA tour.
Webber observed, “He was exceptional yesterday. His finishing was effortless, with minimal backlift. His one-on-one situations were notable, as he outpaced opponents with ease. This stems from a strong mindset, the will to succeed, and a readiness to embrace mistakes, leading to eventual success. He just needs to translate this into matches. We all recognize his vast talent and want to see him enjoying his game again.”
### Praise from Teammates
Harry Amass, a 17-year-old who played with Rashford against Real Betis, described him as ‘incredible’ in a post-game interview. Amass, who hopes to stand in for Luke Shaw this season with uncertainties around Tyrell Malacia, valued the opportunity to play alongside Rashford. However, with Rashford possibly being rested for the Liverpool game, Amass might partner with a different player on the left side.
