Marcus Rashford addressed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during a candid two-hour squad meeting ahead to the team’s courageous upset of Liverpool on Monday.
United had a dreadful start to the season, with a Premier League opening-weekend setback at the hands of Brighton followed by a humiliating four-goal loss at Brentford the following week, as Ten Hag lost both of his first two games in command.
Last Thursday, the coaching staff and United’s squad met for two hours, during which the Dutch manager addressed his players before allowing every member of the team the opportunity to speak up and voice any grievances they had with the situation.
Ten Hag asserted his authority by describing how he had his own beliefs and thoughts on how the situation could be turned around, and that the United board was willing to completely support him in achieving these goals.
However, it also gave players the confidence to speak honestly and put to rest any worries that had been lingering in the back of their minds, with Rashford among those to do so.
The England international questioned why Ten Hag had not used him as a ‘nine,’ or central attacking position, as promised during pre-season. Instead, despite the absence of Anthony Martial, the 24-year-old had played in a more wide attacking role against Brighton and Brentford.
Ten Hag responded to Rashford by promising him a run of games in that position beginning with the following match against Liverpool, and the former Ajax manager kept his word by playing the forward in a central attacking role.
Of course, one of Ten Hag’s trademarks is mobility in attack, as evidenced by his substitution of Anthony Elanga – who had shined on the left side – for Martial, with Rashford subsequently going out left. The United Youth graduate’s perfectly timed run and finish just after the interval, however, justified the switch.
Ten Hag made several changes for the win over Liverpool, including dropping Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, and Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting lineup. Bruno Fernandes was elected captain, with Tyrell Malacia making his first start for the club at left-back.