Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag sets a goal target for star forward Marcus Rashford

Speaking to the club media, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has set a lofty goal target for star forward Marcus Rashford for the remainder of this campaign.

Rashford, who is in the form of his life, has reached the 20-goal mark in all competitions for United so far in 33 appearances. He has assisted eight goals too.

As we enter the crunch part of the season with a cup final to look forward to along with key games in the league and other competitions, ten Hag wants Rashford to not stop and aim at touching the 30-35 goal mark by the end of the campaign.

Here’s what the boss said when asked about the goal targets for the England international (h/t Manchester United Official Website):

“[There is] much more to come [from Marcus] and we have months to play, important months. We have to get into a position where we can win trophies, till now, where we are, Marcus has a big impact in this season. 

“I remember at the start of the season, I was questioning can he score 20 goals, now he has that marker, he has scored 20 goals, but now it’s about getting more. 

“He has to challenge himself to get 30 or 35, but most focus has to be on the next goal and if you be in that focus, you will see where you end up. But most important, finally, is that we win as a team.”

If we look at the games

since the World Cup in all competitions, Rashford has scored or assisted goals in all but two games. We have played 14 games since the resumption of the season. That is some going!

But, as ten Hag rightly mentions, the 25-year-old can have elevated targets for the next few months with key games around the corner.

Given his current form and fitness levels being at the top level, it won’t be a surprise if the Englishman hits the 30+ goal tally by or before May.

Having parted ways with Cristiano Ronaldo before the World Cup, seeing Anthony Martial struggle for fitness and us not signing a striker in either of the last two transfer windows (Wout Weghorst is just a backup option), it was important that somebody in the side takes the responsibility of scoring goals.

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It is good to see Rashford leading that charge and propelling us in every competition. Long may it continue!