Erik ten Hag Commends Marcus Rashford’s Unselfish Gesture in Victory Over Barnsley

In a commanding 7-0 victory over Barnsley, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised forward Marcus Rashford for his decision to let teammate Antony take a penalty. This gesture is believed to have boosted team morale and offered Antony a valuable opportunity to regain his confidence.

United recovered from recent defeats to Brighton and Liverpool with a 3-0 win against Southampton, continuing their momentum against Barnsley. The match saw Alejandro Garnacho, Rashford, and Christian Eriksen each score twice before Antony converted the penalty gifted by Rashford.

Despite Antony’s recent struggles, Rashford’s choice to pass on the penalty was described by ten Hag as proof of the team’s cohesion and collaborative spirit. “They are very ambitious and hungry,” explained ten Hag. “They support each other by creating assists and giving opportunities to score, just like Rashford did by letting Antony take the penalty.”

Ten Hag emphasized that Rashford isn’t the only player responsible for Manchester United’s goal-scoring efforts. He stated, “Goals are crucial in football, and though Rashford is a major contributor, we can’t rely solely on him. Matches are decided in the box, and scoring needs to be a collective responsibility.”

Discussing Rashford’s form, ten Hag acknowledged the impact of confidence on a player’s performance. “Rashford is a significant player for us. He’s scored many goals and is high on the current United goalscorers’ list. However, in football, you’re always judged by your last performance, and confidence can decline if you don’t score,” said the United manager. 

Reflecting on the victory, ten Hag expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “It was the perfect night not just for me, but for the team. We accomplished everything we planned; scored great goals, entertained fans, and continued to develop our game model. We need to maintain this progress up until the crucial months of the season,” he concluded.