To help Manchester United become the best team in football, Erik ten Hag wants Marcus Rashford to pledge his future to the club.
Rashford is United’s leading scorer so far this year with eight goals in the last eight games.
The England international has scored 17 goals in 28 games, compared to 12.8 predicted goals, and scores once every 124 minutes (xG).
The contract for Rashford expires in 2024, but Ten Hag is optimistic that a new deal will be reached.
“This is the best place to be because we want to construct the best team – first in England, then Europe, then the world,” said Ten Hag ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
“It is confidential, talks between clubs and players, [but] he understands Manchester United is his club and also in this environment, this team, he is playing his best football.
“He is improving, he is giving 100 per cent.
“He can bring his qualities and this team can help him be in the right position to score goals. The team is constructed so that his qualities come to the fore.
“He knows he is important for us and if we want to succeed, we need him.”
While Rashford is thriving on one side of United’s attack, Antony – a big-money signing from Ajax last year – has struggled after a fast start to his career in England.
Ten Hag is not concerned, though.
“He is not losing games,” the Dutchman said of the Brazil winger.
“He is playing and the team is winning and that already gives a message of how well he is performing.
“He can do better. I see space for improvement, and we want him to be more direct.”
Source: Livescore