What Erik ten Hag told Marcus Rashford to do when he first met Manchester United striker

Erik ten Hag told Marcus Rashford he wanted to see him smile more when the pair first met in the summer.

Rashford had endured an underwhelming end to the 2021/2022 season, failing to score in his last 15 games to end the season with just five goals across all competitions. Cut to the present and the United forward's fortunes have transformed, with Thursday's goal against Barcelona taking him to 22 goals for the campaign - equalling his best-ever tally and with plenty of time to top it.

Since the turn of the year, he has scored 11 goals across all competitions, more than anyone else in Europe's top five leagues. The 25-year-old's form in front of goal has left plenty around M16 brimming with joy, not least Rashford himself who looks to be enjoying his football once more - an outcome Ten Hag predicted when the pair met last year.

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"On the first day I met him I said I want to see you smile, I want to see your teeth," the United boss told Sky Sports. "Now we see it often. I think he’s in a happy place, the whole dressing room is in a happy place, there is a lot of confidence and belief in this squad."

All associated with United are keen to see Rashford pen a new long-term deal at the club. Ten Hag was asked about contract talks and he assured fans the matter was in hand.

"Of course it is a priority," the Dutchman said. "But we are working on that so just sit, wait and in the background we work hard."

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