Erik ten Hag backs Marcus Rashford to use England snub as 'fuel' and insists beleaguered Man Utd striker is 'highly motivated' for FA Cup final against Man City

Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad for Euro 2024 this week, the latest setback in a miserable campaign after scoring a career-best 30 goals the previous season. But Ten Hag believes he will respond in the right way.

Ten Hag admitted that even an unlikely win over champions City will not compensate for his side's woeful campaign, in which they registered their lowest league finish since 1990 and lost 14 games, a record in the Premier League era.

"No, but it's the FA Cup final, it is a big event and we are there, even in a season that has not gone our way we are there," he said. "We have an opportunity and it's never been easy but we have to go for it and we will go for it, we have to believe as we did last season as we have done often against good opponents, we play our best football and I expect that again on Saturday."

"He looks good. That is a career, ups and downs, a down can also give fuel and that is what I see in training, he will be highly motivated," Ten Hag told reporters. "Speak with your feet, highly intelligent, he has had a big career, I'm sure he will get over this and get more goals."

Ten Hag said that Harry Maguire will not recover from a muscle injury in time to make the final but he confirmed that Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial will all be available for selection.

The manager also insisted he was calm about his future despite reports that he will be sacked. "I have nothing to say. Just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first to win the game on Saturday and then going with the project."