Erik ten Hag's hidden message reveals key change behind Marcus Rashford renaissance at Man United

Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund took the plaudits for Manchester United on Saturday, the goalscorers that turned the game against Brentford around, but the third member of what is surely Erik ten Hag's best attack deserved plenty of praise as well.

Garnacho rifled in his hardest chance of the game, and Hojlund finished superbly after a performance that started slowly but improved rapidly. Marcus Rashford, however, was excellent in and out of possession and continued a trajectory that suggests his return to form this season can be sustained.

His assist for Garnacho's volley was outstanding and followed a similar crossfield ball into his fellow winger's path in the first half. That was arguably an even better pass, but Garnacho’s shot hit the side netting.

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Whether from his regular position on the right or popping up on the left, Rashford was direct and aggressive in his running. He won a corner by surging past Sepp van den Berg and drilling a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. His tally of 22 final third passes completed was the highest in the game, and his four chances created were also a match-high.

"I think we all know he is capable of a lot and when he has this attitude then he will score, as he did in Porto, but also giving assists as he did in Porto and today," Erik ten Hag said after the vital turnaround.

"But it starts also with fighting spirit and when we bring all this on the pitch, we have a team that can progress and play for trophies this season."

That final line is probably the most instructive regarding Rashford's improvement this