Erik ten Hag says both he and Marcus Rashford are not happy with the Manchester United forward's form this season - but the United boss is confident that his striker will return to scoring goals soon.
Rashford, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season - has scored just once since the start of the season, with United enduring their worst start to a campaign since 1974, after nine defeats in the opening 17 games.
Going into Saturday's home match against Luton, Rashford has the worst negative Expected Goals (xG) differential out of any Premier League player this season - demonstrating the 26-year-old's wastefulness in front of goal.
The England international was also sent off in the first half of Wednesday's 4-3 Champions League defeat to FC Copenhagen.
"I think he's not happy, we are not happy. We have expectations, he has high expectations of himself," Ten Hag said about Rashford's start to this season.
"At this moment, he is not in his best form. But I know he will be back. I know when the team is playing better, he will play better, he will score goals. I am confident of that.
"This season he will improve and score goals, he's totally in the team and aware on everything. He will be back on track.
"That can happen very quickly. Sometimes you need only one game, I'm sure he will get there."
United go into the home game at newly-promoted Luton having lost three out of their last four games - and on a run of two straight home defeats - but Ten Hag was adamant that his side can respond to setbacks.
"We are very disappointed to lose any game but finally it's about the end result," says Ten Hag. "It's always about a process, thinking about a process and managing the process. That's the only thing I focus on.
"We often proved that we can, like [in the recent wins against] Fulham at Brentford, overcome big setbacks."
Lunch boxes, no carrots and takeover limbo at Man Utd
Man Utd have lost more than half their matches this season in all competitions, increasing the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag - Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol brings us the latest on Dutchman's future, the on-going takeover of club, and what is happening with forward Jadon Sancho.
Jones Knows: Luton to put Man Utd at new low?
If you could combine the natural talent in the Manchester United side with the application in the Luton Town side, you'd have yourself a Premier League winning team. That's the conundrum to assess here from a betting point of view, do you take sheer talent to win the day or trust teamwork and desire to come out on top? I'd much rather be a layer than a backer at 1/3 with Sky Bet on Manchester United despite the obvious class divide.
This is a team that have lost five of their last 10 home games in all competitions while all of their six Premier League wins this season have come with a one-goal margin of victory. Erik ten Hag is playing for win-ugly football. That makes the 4/5 with Sky Bet on Luton carrying a +2 goal handicap the likely starting point for a winner meaning we'll cop a return if Luton win, draw or lose by one goal. No matter the result though, the future looks bleak for Ten Hag. He is the 5/4 favourite with Sky Bet for the next manager to go. A defeat here will push him closer to the exit door.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Follow Man Utd vs Luton on Saturday live on Sky Sports' digital platforms via the live blog from 1.30pm; kick-off 3pm - and watch free match highlights at 5.15pm
Piycdory
0
He is a very selfish player. It's just that ETH is not Mourinho. He would have been him for the rest of the season. He doesn't play collective football and even when he has the chance to score he would give a good pass to the opponent goalkeeper. So bad
samuelchukwuj
0
Ten hag dey play Old Trafford theatre of nightmare
Kakckmpyz
2
Yes indeed
jojo88
0
so you are expecting him to trek from agege to sango
The English flaunting is ur problem, that's why u couldn't interpret a simple sentence.
danailsty
0
But even his pets have a heart and after they see how he treats everybody else they don’t think it’s fare and they won’t play for him
danailsty
0
Remember when he sign for Manchester everybody was already saying Ronaldo was going to loose his rool because everybody that knows him knows that he only favors his pets that he brings in
danailsty
0
Rashford is a real team mate and he is messing with his team mates
danailsty
0
And everybody know rashford is not playing for him because what he his doing to Sancho what he did to de gea and ronaldo
danailsty
0
He is stupid but not that stupid
danailsty
1
Rashford continuous playing because rashford is a machester baby he wouldn’t dare to mess with rashford
duzbklstyz
1
If he can't score goals, at least don't get red carded. United would have won comfortably if he was not in the squad against Copenhagen.
ceuacdosty
1
Go to barca
MothJR10
4
Soon
JoyNg01
3
We all love ETH. He is such a great coach and a fighter himself... but I think Manchester United are just like blood pressure, sometimes rise but all the times fall🤔🤣🤣
Princespark6
2
When you teaches him well he will score for u. Teach ,& Stop chasing players out
bouaeilpr
2
Both of you are stupid
Kyawjames
1
I don’t think he will score goals he hasn’t ability to score goals selling him more better
RealAnfield
0
Nobody is happy with Ten Hag.
diamondlsayon
1
Luton 3-1 United
Yuaacdilns
2
the couch is just full of useless speaches
EliasChisale
3
you have hope that you will bounce back but when is that day when you will bounce back... it's high time that you must leave the club coz as long as you are still the manager of the club, players will never perform as they were performing when you joined the club to be the manager...
Que_X_Genah
2
Trashfrod didn't had a form... 3 goals in 2 games, then nothing for 2 months
Menzaxxxxx
1
What about flop hags form....
Bling22
1
The english media is rubbish meanwhile no English manager has ever won PL . The English players are rubbish compared to other nations. The PL is dropping everyday with lots of erros a d controversies from VAR
Bling22
0
Support Rashford would get ten hag fired just like cr7 did to Ole
Peaceking1234
5
Throwback to this Comparison💀💯👇😂
lbcrna
0
fans are not also happy with with what Ten Hag is doing at Manchester United we want to see result.... Rashford red card was harsh
HOMEBHOY
1
exactly he will find his form after you're sacked....ETH too much discipline is affecting him now, because almost all the players he bought are underperforming
Frank2004
3
rashford continue playing
Zibbdinop
0
Man united fans we're not happy they way you coaching staff and our team must go away from our team please 🙏
vuaabdipu
3
Just sack him already
swillah
6
under ETH united is going nowhere for sure 😟😟😟
rapb12
2
to me rashford wasn't anymore a footballer this season he's playing like a celebrity score goals or not payment he'll get.. eth if he really want tobe a manager for a long time period,kick all the maggots from Manchester United football club and promote academy players like Sir Alex did..
Niwbcnpz
1
this man needs to be sold in fact i hate England players they are very lazy 😴
Vascdlsu
2
ten hag has no a proper number 6 after casemiro got injured
Bikcemz
2
u bald head smoked out the goat
Bikcemz
0
end of the season
rinbinrsuy
0
why one Hag can not say something good about his players out then advice them in the dressing room
[image]
I guess simple English is difficult for you to understand
Satdlmopz
0
Just tel the ppo that u hurt any prayer
duzilmptu
2
this Coach is always complaining about own players 🙄 not a good Coach
fehaenrtz
1
Rashford is no happy with man united
codacipst
0
why one Hag can not say something good about his players out then advice them in the dressing room
[image]
so ten haag is blaming rashford now🙄, seems you can't interpret the news you've read
ANKHO33
0
ZeroHag... you will be sooo damn Sack soon
codacipst
0
Keep fooling yourselves, 2 idiots, he's not happy but clubbing & flaunting cars every area.... Nonsense
so you are expecting him to trek from agege to sango
EngineerAlimson001
1
maybe Chelsea should loan to you Nicholas Hat-trick Jackson
jojo88
0
Keep fooling yourselves, 2 idiots, he's not happy but clubbing & flaunting cars every area.... Nonsense
Renilmop
0
Some people say that the world cup of 2022 was rigged because Argentina got 5 penalties but they didn't say it when France got 4 in 2018. Portugal also got 5 penalties in EURO 2016 but those fans were happy and celebrated because their GOAT had won something for his country before Messi. What a biased fan base?
messi fans are really brainless go watch what debrune says about the balondor
Kasabalanka
1
If you talk about rashford😞
charekaeffort28
0
Rashford and Bruno must goo
Hutdlnoprz
0
Some people say that the world cup of 2022 was rigged because Argentina got 5 penalties but they didn't say it when France got 4 in 2018. Portugal also got 5 penalties in EURO 2016 but those fans were happy and celebrated because their GOAT had won something for his country before Messi. What a biased fan base?