Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked questions about Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount ahead of the Premier League clash against Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils will be eyeing a second successive league win against the Hatters and ahead of the game, Ten Hag was posed with multiple questions. A few of them were player-related.
The form of Rashford has been a huge concern this term. The Englishman has netted just one goal in all competitions and Ten Hag acknowledged that the player and the club are not happy.
He said via Sky Sports: “He is not happy. We are not happy. He has high expectations from himself, at the moment he is not in his best form but I know he will be back.”
However, the Dutch tactician backed the 26-year-old to get back on track and believes he only needs one strong performance to turnaround his fortunes at the Red Devils.
He added: “He’s totally in the team and aware of everything. he will be back on track and it can happen very quickly. Sometimes you only need one game and I’m sure he will get there.”
Meanwhile, Mount has had a difficult start to his debut season at United. He has been a regular on the bench over the past few weeks after recovering from a hamstring problem.
When pressed on the midfielder’s lack of regular playing time, Ten Hag highlighted that he started at the beginning of the campaign before picking up an untimely injury.
The manager mentioned that has interrupted the integration process and he now has to fight to get his place back as others, who have started in his spot are doing well.
He told Manutd.com: “He started the season and then got injured. It’s the worst time for a new player because it interrupts the integration process. It was really a setback. Now he has to fight to get his place back. There are other players who are doing well.”
United have had a frustrating first three months of the season. They have already suffered nine defeats from 17 matches in all competitions. It is one of their worst runs in history.
The club have been on the wrong side of several VAR decisions. In midweek, Rashford was harshly sent off in the opening half and it changed the complexion of the game.
The Red Devils were cruising against Copenhagen in the Champions League with a 2-0 lead before Rashford’s sending off. They went on to lose 4-3 away from home.
Rashford has the chance to redeem himself against Luton tomorrow. United should comfortably beat the Hatters and anything less than a victory would come as a surprise.
The club graduate is expected to start on either the left or right wing, but Mount may have to settle for a bench role again, judging by what was said by the manager today.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com