Manchester United and England player Marcus Rashford has claimed that Man United’s players are already much fitter under new boss Erik ten Hag as they prepare for the 2022-2023 season.
The Dutchman has been making his team work very hard during training sessions both in Manchester and on the club’s pre-season tour as they have now arrived in Melbourne.
Recall that the Dutchman succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United’s permanent manager this summer.
Marcus Rashford who struggled during the 2021–22 season and managed just five goals, claimed that he has already started reaping the rewards of the Ten Hag revolution at Old Trafford.
While speaking during an interview ahead of their second pre-season game against Melbourne Victory on Friday, Rashford said: “It’s been a bit unnatural for me to have such a long break in the summer, just under four weeks, and I could have a break physically and mentally. It’s massive to have a full pre-season.
“This is the first year I’ve been with the team from the beginning and I already feel a lot better. For me, it is a fresh start, something I am looking forward to.”
The new beginning and fitness levels are already putting them in winning ways as United thrashed FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners Liverpool 4-0 in their first pre-season game in Bangkok on Tuesday, with Rashford playing the first half before he was replaced by Anthony Elanga.
🗣️ “For me, it’s a fresh start”
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 14, 2022
Marcus Rashford says that he’s enjoying training under ten Hag and that the team is a lot fitter than last season! 🏃♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/zLhnYbbt77
However, Marcus Rashford’s praises didn’t get into Erik ten Hag as he pointed out that the team made a lot of mistakes against Liverpool and still needs to improve. But Marcus Rashford responded by saying that it’s a lot easier to make mistakes when the team is winning and used the game against Liverpool as an example.
The England International stated that even though the players made individual mistakes, United ended up winning the game.
Note that the 24-year-old was not part of the team when Ole Solskjaer was with them 12 months ago because of shoulder surgery. Rashford had the injury during Euro 2020 in which he missed a penalty in England’s final defeat to Italy. The injury limited his time on the pitch for Manchester United until October 16, 2021.
He also failed to get back to his best form throughout last season as Man United had a difficult campaign.
The Englishman has been working on his fitness level even while on vacation in California in June and this has helped him to get back his fitness faster.
As mentioned earlier, United are currently in Australia for a preseason tour after a positive preseason opener against Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag and his boys will play against A-League team Victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday and Crystal Palace on Tuesday in the same venue.
