“You’re are as good as your last game” - Manchester United boss Ten Hag speaks up on 26-year-old’s flying form after stellar display against Barnsley

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has heaped praise on Marcus Rashford after his brace against League One side Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round. The Red Devils registered an emphatic 7-0 win at Old Trafford on Tuesday, September 17.

Rashford scored a brace and provided an assist in the game. It marked his third goal in two games, having scored in their 3-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League last time out. This run comes after he failed to register a single goal contribution in their previous four games across competitions.

After his performance against Barnsley, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag heaped praise on Rashford, saying (via Daily Mail):

"Confidence is a big part of it. It's not everything, there are also other parts, but confidence is a big part. And I think Rashford is a big guy. He's scored so many goals, he's one in the list of (current) United goalscorers, he is on top of it, so he is a big guy.

But you are as good as your last game and every time you have to prove it. But I have even seen the biggest guys, the biggest football players, when they are not performing and when strikers are not scoring, then they drop in confidence. It doesn't matter who."

Rashford faced widespread criticism after registering just eight goals and six assists in 43 games across competitions last season for Manchester United. He will hope he can build on his last two performances moving forward.

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Marcus Rashford on Erik ten Hag's statement and Manchester United form

After the win over Barnsley, Marcus Rashford was also asked about Erik ten Hag's statement about him. He was asked if he, like Ten Hag, also believes that this match will give him confidence and help him score more goals. Rashford said (via manutd.com):

“It’s early to say but I hope so. We’ll move onto the next game now and just rest, recover and focus on the next one.

“Football is football - sometimes you have ups and, sometimes, you have downs. We have to use these games to find momentum, find consistency and try your best to bring your best level in each game.”

Along with Rashford, Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho also got a brace each against Barnsley, with Antony scoring the other goal from the penalty spot. Manchester United will next face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday, September 21.