Marcus Rashford must earn Man United starting spot – Ten Hag،
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford will return to the team when he deserves it, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday.
Rashford was taken off for the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday after a lackluster performance in the defeat at Newcastle four days earlier.
The England international has struggled to find form all season, scoring just two goals in 19 games, and Ten Hag said he must earn the right to return to the team while highlighting how Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay fought on the sidelines. team to play key roles.
“Rashford is a good, incredible player,” Ten Hag told a press conference ahead of their clash against Bournemouth.
“You can't do it with 11 players. He can't play every game and he's not, at the moment, in the form he was last year, but I'm sure there will succeed.
“What I said about Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire, that's up to them. The team will always line up and the best players who make the best team will play.”
Both Maguire and McTominay were linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, but have since become vital to United's revival under Ten Hag.
McTominay scored both goals against Chelsea and is this season's top scorer with six, while Maguire was named the Premier League Player of the Month for November.
“I think we have a team and there is internal competition in the team,” Ten Hag added.
“If you want a successful season you need more than 11 players. Every season it will change and every season it's who the best team is. They are here, they are great players and have played in the team. That's what you expect. from every player, there has to be dedication to achieve that goal.”
United face Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday before a decisive Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
To qualify for the last 16 they must beat the German champions and hope Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen draw in the other Group A match, but Ten Hag insists his focus is on Bournemouth.
“As a manager, my coaches, with the rest of the staff, we always consider [things] but the next match is always the most important,” he said.
“Especially in the Premier League where everyone is killing everyone, you need a strong team.
“I think they are in very good form, Bournemouth. We have seen them, they are a very good team, very well built and capable players. You have to play your best.”
