Erik ten Hag discusses Marcus Rashford’s future and improvement for Man Utd

Erik ten Hag has hinted he and Manchester United have no plans to allow Marcus Rashford to leave the club for free this summer.

The forward signed a contract extension in 2019 which runs to the summer of 2023, although United can extend it by a further year.

It means, should all parties agree, Rashford could potentially walk away from his boyhood club at the end of the season, but Ten Hag implied on Wednesday that looks unlikely.

Asked if the 24-year-old is part of his long-term plans, Ten Hag responded: “Definitely.

“I don’t think he’s out of contract [in the summer]. I think United control the situation,” he added, when quizzed on the player’s future.

Rashford has looked much more like his old self in recent weeks after a difficult few years due to injury and poor form.

He’s netted three in the last four Premier League games, and Ten Hag said his upturn in form is partly due to increased confidence and belief which he sees on a daily basis in training.

"What I see is a happy Marcus Rashford. I saw some phases of his game he could improve and we worked really hard the last two months with him on different aspects,” said the former Ajax manager.

“He liked it and he wanted to transfer it to the pitch and that is what you see in this moment, but it started with happiness.

“He is coming here every day, is enjoying it, is smiling, and has a really positive vibe. If you put all those things together, the way of playing, wanting to improve, transfer different aspects and you are happy, you will be more of a contribution to the team and to the performance, result and your development.”

United face Real Sociedad on Thursday, in their opening Europa League game of the season, before travelling to Crystal Palace at the weekend.