Rashford has part to play at Manchester United, says Ten Hag as boss offers Ronaldo update

The
24-year-old
struggled
during
a
tepid
2021-22
campaign
at
Old
Trafford,
losing
his
place
in
the
England
set-up
and
mustering
just
four
goals
in
25
league
appearances.

Reports
have
since
emerged
that
he
could
make
a
fresh
start
across
the
English
Channel
with
Ligue
1
heavyweights
PSG.

But
speaking
ahead
of
a
trip
to
Brentford
this
weekend,
Ten
Hag
insists
he
regards
Rashford
as
a
key
member
of
his
squad
this
term.

“He
is
really
important,”
Ten
Hag
said.
“You
have
seen
from
the
first
day
I
am
here
[that]
I
am
really
happy
with
him.

“I
do
not
want
to
lose
him.
He
is
definitely
in
our
plans
at
Manchester
United.”

Ten
Hag
also
addressed
Cristiano
Ronaldo’s
involvement
after
the
Portugal
star
was
benched
for
their
opening
weekend
loss
to
Brighton
and
Hove
Albion.

The
veteran
forward
missed
much
of
pre-season
amid
reports
he
is
seeking
an
exit
to
find
Champions
League
football,
though
a
lack
of
credible
suitors
may
well
have
put
the
brakes
on
a
move.

“He
has
had
a
good
training
week,”
the
Dutchman
added.
“He
has
had
two
half
games
now.
We
will
see
tomorrow.”

Defeat
to
Brighton
represented
a
major
blow
to
hopes
Ten
Hag
will
re-establish
United
as
genuine
contenders
for
the
top
four
this
term,
but
the
former
Ajax
man
is
unworried
by
a
slow
start
from
his
side.

“After
every
game,
I
analyse
what
went
wrong
and
where
we
can
improve,
where
we
have
to
improve,
and
how
we
have
to
train,”
he
added.

“We
tell
and
show
the
players
this
too,
to
give
them
the
solutions.
We
learnt
a
lot
[from
the
first
game]
but
it
is
normal
when
you
start
a
season,
every
season
in
that
part
is
the
same.

“You
have
a
new
start,
you
make
mistakes.
Football
is
a
game
of
mistakes,
so
we
know
we
have
to
improve
in
many
factors.”