Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag acknowledges that Marcus Rashford is facing challenges in maintaining his form, but he remains assured that he will soon regain his scoring touch. Last season, Rashford achieved a personal record of scoring 30 goals; however, recently he has only managed to find the back of the net once in 11 matches, spanning the pre-season and ongoing season. There are reports indicating that Rashford's position in the starting lineup for the upcoming match against Brentford on Saturday might be in jeopardy.
Ten Hag affirmed that Rashford's qualities are widely acknowledged and highlighted the potential of Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, and Antony as potential replacements for him, with Antony being described as "ready to start" after a period of absence.
However, if the team is effectively positioning him and we observe him consistently in the correct locations but still facing challenges, this phase will eventually subside. Manchester United's entire squad is behind him, providing unwavering support and belief. With the team's confidence empowering him, this situation will undoubtedly evolve and fade away.
Ten Hag: Form is unacceptable
Should United suffer a loss against Brentford on Saturday, it would mark their fifth defeat in their first eight league games, a feat not achieved since 1986.Ten Hag has also witnessed consecutive defeats at home, so a loss to the Bees would mark the first occasion since 1962 where they've suffered three consecutive home defeats across all competitions.
The United manager is fully cognizant of the fact that the results have been unsatisfactory.
He stated, "We have regressed in terms of our performance levels and it is imperative that we reclaim our previous standards. Although there are reasons behind this setback, it remains unacceptable and we must strive to combat it.
"Their understanding of our style of play serves as a solid basis, as we adhere to certain rules and principles. Once they actively assist and uplift one another, our overall performance will greatly improve.
Lack of consistency is the issue we are facing. While we perform well in certain aspects of the game, there are moments where we encounter difficulties. These moments prove to be crucial and detrimental to our survival.
It is imperative to maintain consistency in our communication to ensure a coordinated approach. Unfortunately, the critical moments have been working against us, leading to a slight disintegration within the team. We need to elevate our performance as a team in the majority of games, around 95%, and rise to the challenge.
What's next for Man Utd?
October 7: Brentford (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmOctober 21: Sheffield United (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on We
October 24: Copenhagen (H) - Champions League, kick-off 8pm
October 29: Manchester City (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3.30pm, live on We
November 1: Newcastle (H) - Carabao Cup, kick-off 8.15pm, live on We
November 4: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm