Rashford was in the midst of the most difficult season of his career. Haunted by a penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final and dragged down by a relentless crisis at United, he did not score again in the remaining three months of the campaign. After repeating his heroics in the same game on Sunday – Rashford’s winner against West Ham brought up a century of goals for his side – the future looked much brighter as he woke up on Monday to his 25th birthday. Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his mojo at boyhood club Manchester United this season Rashford’s header gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday. The lost soul that sleepwalked for most of last season looks rejuvenated under Erik ten Hag. The hit-and-miss striker who finished that season with just five goals is now United’s top scorer with seven by the end of October. If Rashford’s revival is good news for United, then what about England? Gareth Southgate, who was at Old Trafford to see him head in Sunday’s winner, has not picked Rashford for more than 15 months. With injuries and a loss of form promising to give Southgate sleepless nights less than three weeks until England begin their World Cup campaign against Iran, Rashford’s late bid for a place on the plane to Qatar is a nice problem to have. Rashford bounced back from a difficult season with Manchester United in 2021-22 So how did the likeable Mancunian get his mojo back? There is no doubt that Rashford is reaping the rewards of the extra work he put in last summer to ensure he was ready for the physical demands of Ten Haag’s arrival. While many players were still on the beach, Rashford headed to America and Nike’s state-of-the-art headquarters in Oregon to get ready for pre-season. During six days in Portland, he underwent a scientifically designed exercise program, punishing runs with a 50-pound weight on his back and 200-meter sprints on a running track elevated at 15.6 degrees, setting a personal best of 25 seconds. He also trained in Los Angeles and New Jersey where he spent his mornings in the gym and afternoons practicing his finishing skills. While Rashford is physically stronger this season, at Old Trafford on Sunday he spoke of being in a “better headspace” and that was probably an even bigger factor. After losing to Italy in the shootout at the Euros, Rashford did not get out of bed for days and sought the help of a psychologist. He had separated from his childhood sweetheart Lucia Loy. England manager Gareth Southgate will be delighted to have the striker back fit Rashford has starred for Manchester United this season, scoring seven goals in just 15 games When he returned to action for United after shoulder surgery in the summer, he discovered a split dressing room at the site of the explosion, and that’s something Ten Haag has worked hard to improve. “When you play a team sport, you want the players to be together,” Rashford said. “I just think the energy is a lot different, that’s the biggest thing. The energy is more positive throughout the team and on the field. These are things he (Ten Haag) mentioned as soon as he came in.” The other problem for Rashford was that, quite simply, he felt unloved. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick might dispute that, but none of United’s three managers last season could get the best out of him in various positions. Rashford hits career low after missing penalty in Euro final against Italy A scene of frustration that may explain why his agent and brother, Dwayne Maynard, flew to France in August to speak with Paris Saint-Germain. Ten Haag’s response to that meeting provided a valuable insight into how he made Rashford feel valued again. “He knows I love him, he knows I want him here, so I’ll tell him again,” gushes the Dutchman. “I’m very happy with him, I don’t want to lose him, he’s definitely in our plans.” United’s new manager Erik ten Hag has made Rashford feel loved again Ten Haag kept his word well. Of the 15 games Rashford has been available since picking up a hamstring injury against Arsenal in September, he has played in 14 and started 12. Although it is generally accepted to be his best position, Ten Haag has used Rashford in the middle at times and encouraged him to be more direct at goal – a change in approach that led to his terrific header against West Ham. “He just wants me to be in the right areas, score goals, push high up the pitch – little things I think about,” Rashford added. “Getting into districts is one thing, but technique and wanting to put your head in the end, that’s what I’ve been working on. It’s nice to get some goals out of it.” Away from the pitch, too, Rashford is more settled. He and Lucia got back together over Christmas and announced their engagement in May. At 25, the Wythenshawe boy is now a man entering his prime. United are feeling the benefit and Southgate must decide if England do too.
