Erik ten Hag confirms Marcus Rashford has chance of playing against AFC Bournemouth | OneFootball

Eric ten Hag has revealed that Marcus Rashford is back in training ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash between his Manchester United side and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

The boss was speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game and was asked about the fitness of the England man and Scott McTominay.

“Scott: I don’t think so. We have a training training, so we have a day, he will push, he is so keen to be a part of it tomorrow, so it’s very questionable. And then Rashford: Rashy trained yesterday, so how he recovered from it today, we have another training today and then we will make a decision on it.”

Ten Hag was also asked about the problems he has faced with multiple injuries to his back four this season.

“It’s very difficult,” he said.

“So everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football – a little – they know it will affect your results and performances. Back four is always the foundation to get results. We didn’t have that. But we still have to win, we know that, so then others have to take responsibility but when you oversee then you know it has a negative impact.”

Speaking about how important Harry Maguire has proven to be after nearly leaving the club last summer, Ten Hag said:

“We were always happy with Harry Maguire but he wants to play. He’s a great leader, he’s a very good defender, very comfortable on the ball. When I count all of those abilities, just now when we are on our defending line we have our problems, he is even more important to lead that line, to make us play from the back.

“So we are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets.”

Last time out, United were subjected to a shock 3-0 mauling by Bournemouth and the manager was asked why he thought that had happened.

“It was after a very good performance against Chelsea in the week. We were mentally not ready for that game. They battled us and we lost the battles,” he explained-

“Tomorrow will not be different, that is the way they want to play. They want to fight with you. So you go into that fight, have the conviction, the belief and you need to support each other to win battles, to outplay them, outrun them and defending to match the runs.”

Asked for his reaction to the news that United’s first ever director of football, John Murtough, resigned this week, Ten Hag replied:

“You mention something there for the new season, I think it’s very important that the new ownership is working on this, they have to replace his function to go into a new season.

“For the moment, of course, I miss his support, the surround support, you miss that. But he moved on, he has made choices. We worked very good together. I say thank you to John and wish him all the best for the future.”

The manager was then quizzed as to whether Murtough’s absence would affect his plans going into the summer.

“No. For me, as I said previously, I work with the new ownership very good, closely together. It will not change, it doesn’t have an impact on the way I can work here. The conditions were perfect, they are still perfect. I am happy with that but we want to set the right conditions to be successful.”

More from the presser will be reported in the embargoed section from 10.30pm, which you can follow at The Peoples Person.

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