Andre Onana and Erik ten Hag lead plaudits for Marcus Rashford after goal at Southampton ends drought

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After a long goal drought and incessant scrutiny over his form, Marcus Rashford responded with a well-taken strike in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Southampton live on TNT Sports. His performance was praised by both Andre Onana and Erik ten Hag post-match, with both predicting more Premier League goals to come for the forward.

Highlights: Rashford ends goal drought as Man Utd make Saints pay for penalty miss

Video credit: TNT Sports

Andre Onana hailed the impact of Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward scored for the first time since March in his side’s 3-0 win at Southampton.

The England international, whose form has been the subject of constant scrutiny over the last two years, curled an accurate curling right-footed shot into the bottom corner to end his goal drought as United secured a much-needed victory.

And he earned plaudits from manager Erik ten Hag and goalkeeper Onana, who highlighted how much could be to come from a reinvigorated Rashford.

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"He had a tough season last year and was not at his best,” Onana said on TNT Sports. “But today he showed himself, he showed he's a great player and one of the best in the world.

“That's football and life, sometimes you struggle and face difficulties. It's not how you fall, it's how many times you stand up.

“Today he scored an important goal for us, hopefully he'll score much more. I'm very happy for him - he really needed this goal."

Rashford ends long wait for goal to double Man Utd’s lead over Southampton

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ten Hag was equally complimentary, backing Rashford to kick on after his first goal of the new campaign.

"Very important. We spoke about it before the game and it’s so huge for him, for every striker that when the season starts you want to be on that scoring list,” the United manager told TNT Sports.

“So now he has his first, I’m sure more will come."

Ten Hag confident more goals will come for Rashford, says ‘mood is very good’ at Man Utd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ten Hag also borrowed Cristiano Ronaldo's ketchup analogy, predicting that Rashford will use this strike as a springboard to go on a goalscoring run.

“Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it’s going, it’s coming more,” said the United manager.

The Dutchman added that criticism levelled at Rashford following United's 3-0 loss to Liverpool was unwarranted.

“It’s very important we don’t pay attention to what the outside world is saying but there was too much negativity to him,” Ten Hag said.

“He created two great chances in that game [the defeat to Liverpool], in other games this season he has played very well.

“He deserved that goal [against Southampton] but he had to work for it. That is what he is doing and then you get a reward.”

Rashford netted just eight goals in all competitions last season, having scored 30 the previous campaign.

Such a dramatic drop-off led to questions about his future, debates about his mindset and ability to perform consistently at the highest level.

He was not included in the England squad for Euro 2024 and looked short of confidence again as the new Premier League season began.

"He's the most talked about player in the Premier League,” Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports before the match.

“It must be frustrating for him - it's difficult for him after that season when he scored 30 goals but he was playing centrally then. He's moved off to the left, he's been adaptable, but there's no doubt that he's not a confident Marcus Rashford, and a confident Marcus Rashford would be starting for England.

“Unfortunately his form has been so in and out for the last two years, it's a shame to see and he needs to get back to where he was."

Rashford certainly looked relieved having netted his long-awaited goal, and the hope for United will be that he returns to his uninhibited self this term.

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