Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has offered his thoughts on Erik ten Hag’s opening weeks in charge at the club, claiming the players are enjoying the Dutchman’s training sessions.
New manager ten Hag has started pre-season training with the club’s non-international players, with those who have recently played for their countries not returning until next week. Rashford is in the former group, having been left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.
Marcus Rashford Claims Manchester United Players are Excited Again Under New Manager Erik ten Hag
Squad Will Soon Depart for Pre-Season Tour
Last season was a severe disappointment for everyone in connection with Manchester United. Despite a number of big-name players joining the team ahead of the campaign – Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo all arrived at the club – previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked after a string of dismal results, and his interim replacement Ralf Ragnick was unable to lift the doom and gloom around Old Trafford.
Ragnick has since decided not to stay on in the consultancy role that was promised to him upon his arrival as interim manager, and ten Hag has looked an authoritative figure having stepped in as Solskjaer’s permanent successor.
Rashford has become the latest figure to show ten Hag his full support, claiming he and the rest of his first-team colleagues have been enthused by the former Ajax manager’s influence on the training pitch.
Rashford said: “We have got that feeling of excitement and that buzz around the training ground again. I think for me, it is just fresh ideas, fresh tactics and a new personality that has been added to the team.”
Wantaway Star Cristiano Ronaldo Adds to Old Trafford Transfer Uncertainty
However, it is safe to say that all is not well at Old Trafford, despite ten Hag’s impact on the players already present at the club.
The first-team are due to depart for their pre-season tour on 8 July, and face Liverpool in Bangkok four days later. With no sign of any new players arriving at the club until then, United supporters are growing increasingly alarmed and impatient.
Their feelings appear to be shared by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has made it clear that he wants to leave the club on the eve of his pre-season training beginning, as he feels his own personal ambition is not being matched by the club’s in the market.
United bosses are embroiled in a protracted pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with any deal surely being hindered by the fact the player himself does not appear in any way keen to make the switch to Old Trafford.
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