Erik ten Hag has backed Marcus Rashford to hit another 30 goals next season so long as his “attitude is right”.
The England forward – who signed a new five-year contract this month – became the first United player since Robin van Persie 10 years earlier to score 30 in a campaign last term.
In February, Ten Hag warned Rashford that he must guard against “laziness” to remain one of Europe’s most potent forwards.
And he made a similar kind of plea in San Diego on United’s US tour by urging Rashford not to lose his focus.
“When his attitude is right then he will do that; it’s not easy and the team has to play well to put him in the right position,” Ten Hag said.
“When the team is playing well, so when we keep the rules and principles in our way of play and Rashford’s attitude is right and he puts himself in the right position, he will finish because has great abilities.
“When he is in the box, he’s clinical, he’s ruthless, and he scores goals, with his right foot, with left foot and with his head.”
Players to step in Rahm’s footsteps
Some of United’s players will be heading to Torrey Pines, the world famous golf course in the La Jolla district of San Diego, on Friday when Ten Hag has granted them a day off.
United have got three four-balls booked for that day, with the course – the scene of Jon Rahm’s 2021 US Open win – about a 20-minute walk from the team hotel. Defenders Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay and goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Nathan Bishop walked some of the course on Monday morning.
McTominay – like Heaton and Maguire – is a keen golfer and took part in the Scottish Open Pro-Am event at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick the week before heading to the US for United’s pre-season tour.
McElhenney to watch Wrexham match
Wrexham’s players are due to watch the San Diego Padres baseball team on Wednesday, the night after facing United in a friendly.
But Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson will not be joining his players at Petco Park to see the Padres take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Parkinson will instead be out in San Diego with his wife to celebrate her birthday.
Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham’s co-owner and the Hollywood star of the Deadpool franchise, will not be at the SnapDragon to watch the League Two side take on a young United as he is currently filming in London.
But Rob McElhenney, his co-owner and fellow actor, will be at the match to cheer on Parkinson’s side.
Ten Hag cuts promotional days
Ten Hag had the number of commercial days on United’s tour cut from three to two. The United manager understands the importance of the club promoting their brand, but not at the expense of the football and it is not uncommon to see the Dutchman putting a block on things he does not like in that regard.
