'He has to set his life right' - Erik ten Hag blames Marcus Rashford's 'lifestyle' for last season's struggles as Man Utd boss sends honest message to England star

Rashford endured a difficult campaign last season, scoring just eight times in all competitions, leading to criticism from some supporters and him failing to make England's squad for Euro 2024.

Ten Hag insisted that Rashford would prove his ability as a 'class player' if he continued to 'set his professionalism' and 'attitude' in the right manner.

Having signed a contract making him one of the club's highest earners last summer, Rashford took until December to score his third goal last season, but the United star has already reached that mark in the last two games.

Rashford had been disciplined by Ten Hag during the previous campaign after missing training the day after being pictured at a nightclub, as well as going out the same day as United suffered a humiliating defeat to rivals Manchester City.

Speaking at his press conference prior to United's game against Crystal Palace, Ten Hag said: "I think he always knew. Every player knows, when your lifestyle is not right you can't perform in the league we have to perform in.

"You don't get the right levels if you don't have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.

"He needed some help, by backing him, for instance. But he has to do it himself, at the end of the day.

"He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, he has to set his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism he will perform because he's a class player."

United travel to Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace in the hope that they can build off two confidence-boosting wins in the past seven days after beating Southampton 3-0 last weekend before a 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup midweek.

Rashford added to his goal against the Saints with a brace and two assists against Barnsley, the first time since March that he has netted in back-to-back games, and the forward will be desperate to continue his resurgence against Palace.