Marcus Rashford must take inspiration from Harry Maguire! Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag tells struggling forward how to win back starting spot

England international Rashford hit a personal-best tally of 30 goals across all competitions last season, earning him a lucrative new contract, but has found the target just twice in the 2023-24 campaign. He has now slipped out of favour, but former Red Devils captain Maguire – who has re-emerged from the wilderness to start United’s last 12 games, while also being named Premier League Player of the Month for November – has shown that a reversal in fortune can be enjoyed at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay is another to have played his way back into favour, with Ten Hag telling reporters when asked what his out-of-sorts No.10 needs to do in order to star once more: “So Rashford is an incredible, good player. You can't do it with 11 players, he can't play every game, he's not in this moment in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there. What I said about Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire: up to them.

"The team will always line themselves up and the best players who form the best team will play. I think we have a squad and in the squad there is internal competition. If you want a successful season you need more than 11 players. Finally, as in every season, it will turn and in every season it's what is the best team. From when they were here, they (Maguire and McTominay) are great players and played into the team. That's what you expect from every player, there has to be dedication to aim for this.”

United swept the board when it comes to Premier League gongs in November – with Ten Hag taking the manager prize and Alejandro Garnacho the Goal of the Month award – and they have won six of their last eight top-flight fixtures to move three points adrift of defending champions Manchester City and nine behind table-topping Arsenal. Ten Hag added on an unpredictable campaign: “So we know where we are going and we had our setbacks, especially at the start of the season. Things went against us with injuries, decisions and sometimes you find yourselves in such a place. You have to deal with it, you see the character of the team and we fought back. We're in a better place, in better form. The performances are increasing, we are improving as a team and as individuals, you see we get strong belief. But you have to be sharp in every game, this league is very competitive and you see it in results recently this week. Everyone kills everyone so you need to be ready for every game.”

United will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to Bournemouth, before staying on home soil for a must-win Champions League clash with Harry Kane and Bundesliga title holders Bayern Munich on Tuesday.