Ex-Man United striker terrified by Erik ten Hag’s response to a query from Marcus Rashford
Michael Owen took issue with Erik ten Hag’s remarks regarding Marcus Rashford’s mindset in the wake of United’s 3-1 loss to rival Manchester City on the road.
Compared to his incredible 30 goals for Erik ten Hag’s team last year, Rashford, 26, has had a difficult season thus far both on and off the field.
With 33 games across all competitions, United’s No. 10 has only scored six goals so far. His most recent addition to that total came via a spectacular strike against Manchester City this past weekend.
Often criticised for his negative body language by fans and pundits alike, Rashford has become a frustrated figure on the field as many question his commitment to the club, although Ten Hag has revealed that the forward is playing through injuries.
A regular in the Dutchman’s side Rashford seems to have the trust of his manager, however, speaking before the Manchester Derby Ten Hag alluded to the 26-year-old himself, being the reason why he hasn’t regained his sensational form.
“What he [Rashford] can take from the past is that he can score a lot of goals. He can score against the biggest opponents in the world and against the best defenders in the world. It’s just about him; if he has his attitude right on Sunday, he is unstoppable.”
This comment hasn’t sat right with Ex-United striker and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen as the 44-year-old told Premier League Productions: “If I was Marcus Rashford and watching that interview we saw with Erik ten Hag, he was saying ‘if Marcus Rashford’s attitude is right he can be a top player and score goals for Manchester United’.
“If my manager was saying something like that, I would be like ‘Woah’. That’s your manager saying it.
“He is bringing out a statement ‘Oh, fans are questioning me. People are questioning me’. Your manager has just questioned you. Your manager has just said ‘If he has the right attitude, he could be the difference-maker.
“That would scare me if a manager said that about me ‘if Michael Owen’s attitude is right’ – it’s not fans, not us, it’s your own manager who is questioning you as well. That should make him sit up and think ‘Right, I have got to address this’. It’s about doing it on the pitch.”