Erik ten Hag’s comments on Marcus Rashford to Man Utd board sum up manager he is

The Manchester United boss has got Marcus Rashford playing his best football for quite some time and has always displayed faith in the Red Devils forward from the start of his reign

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Erik ten Hag’s faith in Marcus Rashford is clearly paying off with the Manchester United forward in electric form in front of goal.

Ten Hag’s men progressed safely into the last four of the Carabao Cup following a routine 3-0 home win over League One outfit Charlton. United’s man of the moment Rashford was among the goals again as he netted a brace inside second-half stoppage time.

In doing so, Rashford became the first player since Wayne Rooney to score eight games in a row at Old Trafford. His late brace also ensured he has now scored for six games straight, every game since club action returned following the World Cup.

There have been question marks over the 25-year-old’s future, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2024.

However, Ten Hag has long been firm in his stance that the England ace would be going nowhere. Early on in the season, the Dutchman told the United board that he didn’t want Rashford to leave because he’s a key player for the Red Devils.

“He is really important. You have seen from the first day I’m in [the club],” said Ten Hag. “I’ve been really pleased [with him]. Definitely, I don’t want to lose him. He’s in our plans and he will stay at Manchester United.”

It is obvious Ten Hag wants the United board to resolve Rashford’s contract situation and tie him down to a long-term deal as soon as possible.

Marcus Rashford is in sensational form for Man United

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Rashford is clearly valued by everyone in the dressing room, not just the manager. Red Devils skipper Harry Maguire waxed lyrical over the forward after his heroics against Charlton.

“He’s in great form, it’s great to see,” the captain explained to Sky Sports. “Playing with a big smile on his face is the most important thing – enjoying his football, and long may it continue.”

The Addicks put in a spirited display, but ultimately class shone through. Ten Hag made eight changes from the side that toppled Everton last Friday, but the stars were introduced off the bench.

The likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Rashford were all brought on before the full-time whistle, with the England international in particular making his mark.

United’s manager was upbeat after the dominant display, telling the media: “Quite happy with it [the performance]. I think we started very well, it was good energy, good focus, we pinned them in their half, we created chances.”

Victory over Charlton ensures that Ten Hag is now the fastest manager in United’s history to reach 20 wins, marking quite the turnaround from his shaky start

A place in the last four of course means United are incredibly close to at long last ending their six-year wait for silverware of any kind, with their last major honour coming in the form of the 2017 Europa League.

It would be quite the statement from Ten Hag if he were to get his hands on a trophy inside the first six months of his time at Old Trafford and achieve what many of his predecessors failed to.