Rio Ferdinand has urged Erik ten Hag to share an important message with Marcus Rashford before every match after the Manchester United star’s performance against Tottenham.
Rashford produced a solid display for United at Old Trafford on Sunday and linked up superbly well with Rasmus Hojlund in the Premier League clash against Spurs.
Hojlund’s unstoppable strike in the third minute opened the scoring for United before Tottenham striker Richarlison pulled one back for Ange Postecoglou’s men.
However, the 20-year-old Denmark striker would then set up Rashford for United’s second and put the Red Devils 2-1 up at Old Trafford before half-time.
Erik ten Hag’s men would only secure a point from the showdown with Spurs, with Rodrigo Bentancur scoring a crucial equaliser only minutes into the second half.
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Ferdinand on Rashford’s United performance
Rashford came off in the 88th minute and replaced for Antony, with Peter Schmeichel sharing his thoughts on the United forward’s reaction from the substitutes’ bench.
The 26-year-old United star’s solid performance was welcomed by Ten Hag, who was happy with Rashford’s link-up play with Hojlund in the Spurs match.
Speaking on his VIBE with FIVE show, Ferdinand praised Rashford for his performance against Tottenham and said he “looked like Marcus again.”
The United legend also asked if someone was in Rashford’s ear before the match and urged him to “run behind,” with the England star showing as much in the clash.
“He looked like Marcus again yesterday,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“What I think about with Marcus. That running on the shoulder, running in behind, no defender wants it.
“I’d like to know if there’s someone in his ear before every game saying, ‘Run behind, run behind.’ It’s hard for a defender to keep doing that through 90 minutes.
“Through this period of time when he hasn’t scored, he’s complicating his game a bit, trying to dribble too much.
“I understand it when you’re trying to prove to people, get your form back, trying to take people on, it just ain’t been working for him, it ain’t been coming off.
“The moment he simplified his game yesterday, he looked like Marcus again
“Basic, run behind and be a threat in behind all the time and his goal comes from a one-two. Run in behind and one-twos are a defender’s nightmare, especially full-backs.”
Ferdinand on Hojlund and Rashford
Ferdinand spoke highly of Rashford’s experience and how that could be a benefit for his partnership with Hojlund, who only arrived at Old Trafford last summer.
The 45-year-old TNT Sports pundit offered his advice to Rashford and how the Three Lions international can effectively capitalise on his partnership with Hojlund.
Speaking on Hojlund and Rashford, Ferdinand continued: “What he [Rashford] needs to do, and he’s experienced enough now, is to go to Hojlund: ‘When I get it, get over here, because I want you as a wall.’
“If you’ve got someone to play and run with you become an absolute nightmare for any defender.
“He plays it and runs, he’s got the momentum, he can’t be stopped, he plays it inside and runs behind, he’s in nine and a half times out of 10.”
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