Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is pushing a new contract for Marcus Rashford ‘as an obsession’ behind the scenes at Old Trafford, according to reports. The Dutchman has coaxed the best from the 25-year-old so far this season. And while Rashford has been linked with a move away, it seems likely he’ll end up staying at the club amid links to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United saw Rashford struggle last season as the club finished sixth in the Premier League table under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
But he’s been back with a bang so far this term, netting nine goals across all competitions to become the club’s main man.
United have triggered a clause in Rashford’s contract that will tie him to the club until 2024, such is their determination to keep hold of him.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, getting the No 10 to pen a new deal has become an ‘obsession’ for Ten Hag behind the scenes.
“Behind the scenes, Erik ten Hag is pushing Man Utd’s board, as an obsession, to extend Marcus Rashford’s contract,” he said on YouTube.
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Ten Hag was full of praise for the forward after he scored for the Red Devils against Burnley on Wednesday, saying: “I think he invested a lot once again with a lot of runs behind the defending line and he scored a great goal in the dribble, great finish.
“I think he is in great form and of course I hope he can keep his focus and this performance.
“I think he is on a very good level, his performances are improving a lot from game to game.
“He’s a continued threat but also many other games this season he’s scored a lot of goals and does a lot of defending work.
“So I’m really happy with his performances. I hope and expect him to keep going with his performance level.”
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And, speaking after United triggered a clause in Rashford’s contract, Ten Hag insisted he, along with Fred, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, are all key to his project.
“Yes, I can confirm it,” he said.
“We are happy because the squad is going in the right direction and those players [have] a massive contribution in that direction.”
And he added: “We want to develop, we want to support those players and we want them to keep in our process.
“So, that’s why we came to those decisions, I’m sure they are the right decisions.
“We want to construct a team for the future, so for longer years, and those players have to be part of it.”
Rashford is expected to feature when United lock horns with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Tuesday (8pm).
The Red Devils will be competing in the Premier League for the first time since the World Cup and go into the game sitting fifth in the table.