Marcus Rashford: Erik ten Hag and Barcelona manager Xavi claim Man Utd winger is one of the best forwards in Europe | Football News

Marcus Rashford scored his 13th goal in 15 appearances for Manchester United since the World Cup last weekend in the 2-0 win over Leeds. So what’s behind the sea change in form?

Erik ten Hag believes the 25-year-old is one of the best forwards in Europe and advised his in-form striker to stay hungry for more goals.

“I don’t know where it will stop but he has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things,” said Ten Hag.

“I think as a manager, as a coaching staff we have to push them but finally it comes from the player. When he loses focus then the scoring will stop. Clear.

“He has so many skills, such high potential and I think there can be even more. When he works well, he will even score more goals because he can score with his left, right and his head.”

Barcelona manager Xavi agreed with Ten Hag’s assessment ahead of their clash in the Europa League at the Nou Camp on Thursday: “He’s one of the most dangerous players now in Europe, yeah. He’s very fast, he is very good at dribbling in one-versus-one.

“In the transition he is very, very dangerous so, yes, we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford.”

The winger’s purple patch has helped propel his side into third spot in the Premier League table, closing the gap to just five points from league leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.

Across Europe, no top-flight player comes close to Rashford’s returns since late December.

Domestically, even Erling Haaland – who tops the Premier League goal chart with 26 goals – has managed only nine goals in all competitions since the World Cup.

For further context, Eddie Nketiah and Harry Kane rank fourth and fifth for goals since the tournament ended in Qatar with six goals – fewer than half the total Rashford has conjured in that time.

So what’s behind the transformation? Is it just a prolonged purple patch or has Rashford changed his style and approach since returning from the Middle East?

Scale of improvement

Rashford’s staggering numbers over the past two months have helped him secure a regular starting berth in Ten Hag’s side – racking up 1,117 minutes across all competitions.

However, Rashford still outguns all rivals when factoring per-90 returns with 1.05 goals – ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho (0.93) and Haaland (0.86), while only three Premier League players have averaged more accurate attempts per game.

Rashford has doubled his finishing ability since the World Cup, while the frequency of his fast breaks is up 50 per cent, and his shots on target, dribbles and clear-cut chances created for team-mates are all up around 25 per cent.

So what’s changed?

Team tactics

In terms of his side’s tactical setup, not much has changed. Wout Weghorst has been the only notable addition to the squad during his sensational scoring spree – but the pair have only combined 14 passes in all competitions.

The graphic below shows the total passes and goal involvements between Rashford and his team-mates across all competitions since returning from Qatar.

Unsurprisingly, the data reveals his most fruitful partnerships are with Bruno Fernandes and the injured Christian Eriksen – with Luke Shaw frequently feeding the winger passes down his favoured left flank.

The graphic below shows how United’s attacking approach has remained constant – before and after the World Cup -, with a greater skew of attacks still coming down Rashford’s left channel.

The average positions appear to suggest Ten Hag has instructed his side to push farther forward since the international break, although this could be a consequence of his side enjoying greater dominance in games.

Most notably, the centre-backs have advanced almost five metres higher upfield and closed the gap between the No 6 midfielders and, indeed, the firing line – with Rashford pushing clear as United’s most advanced player.

Player positioning

The heat maps below elaborate on the average positions above, showing how the winger has had a slightly greater concentration of activity closer to the opposition box since late December – and has been tracking back less.

Additionally, the shot maps below plot every goal Rashford has scored in the Premier League before and since the World Cup and shows how the forward has converted a slew of goals in, around and along the six-yard box.

The England international has also boosted his creative output, creating eight chances for team-mates since late December – with every single attempt hitting the target.

The England winger’s iconic goal celebration suggests his refreshed and clear headspace has contributed to his scintillating form and his talents also appear to be coming to the fore under his new manager – but, to cite his manager’s own words, can he maintain the focus to sustain his clinical run?

Man Utd vs Barcelona team news

Man Utd team news

Casemiro is available for Manchester United despite still being banned in domestic competition following his red card against Crystal Palace.

Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are suspended having each picked up three bookings in Europe before the turn of the year.

Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay have not travelled to Spain following their recent injury absences.

Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are also not available as they continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.

Man Utd squad: David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Jack Butland, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Casemiro, Facundo Pellistri, Zidane Iqbal, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Wout Weghorst, Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho.

Barcelona team news

Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele are still unavailable for Barcelona due to ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

Former Chelsea players Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen, ex-Leeds winger Raphinha, and former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres could all feature against Manchester United.

Barcelona squad: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Arnau Tenas, Inaki Pena, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Franck Kessie, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong, Marc Casado, Gavi, Pablo Torre, Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Angel Alarcon.

What’s next for Man Utd?

Manchester United return to European action on Thursday when they travel to Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League play-off (kick-off 5.45pm).

Erik ten Hag’s side then host Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4.30pm).