Marcus Rashford thinks Erik ten Hag's tactical approach at Manchester United has helped him cement a turnaround in form this term, ahead of the final Premier League game before the break for the World Cup.
The forward struggled across a difficult 2021-22 campaign at Old Trafford, struggling to hold down a place in the United team and slipping out of the England reckoning.
But a superb start to the new season, with eight goals across 18 matches in all competitions, has seen him emerge at the spearhead of Ten Hag's United revolution.
Rashford certainly feels the Dutchman's arrival has helped reignite his talents and believes it comes down to the shift in play developed by his new manager.
"I am more effective," he told The Sun. "I am in more dangerous positions and that's what it's about for me. I can help the team win games. I can score goals and get assists, and that's the aim.
"It's probably the playing style we have created, better quality of chances and playing forward-thinking football. "He likes possession, but he is also in favour of us going for the kill. I am enjoying my time under him."
A defeat to Aston Villa last week checked United's momentum in the Premier League, though they gained revenge by dumping Unai Emery's side out of the EFL Cup in midweek, with Rashford finding the net again.
Ahead of a trip to Fulham on Sunday in their last match before the World Cup, the forward was determined to ensure there was no further slip-up, adding: "We dropped points last weekend and we can't afford to drop more back-to-back.
"So it's important for us to put in a big performance and get a win. It will be the last time we play together for a while, so it is important to leave with good energy, positive vibes, and momentum. You don't want to leave on a loss."
Rashford will have a busy mid-season break, having been recalled to the England fold by manager Gareth Southgate for the World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions get their campaign underway in Group B against Iran on November 21, before further matches against the United States and Wales.
Ange Postecoglou wants to savour Celtic’s success, not discuss the future
Ange Postecoglou vowed to enjoy Celtic’s record-breaking treble for as long as he could before someone “drags” him away to focus on other issues as he continued to dodge questions over his future.
Postecoglou is odds-on favourite to take over at Tottenham and refused to give any indication on whether he would be departing Celtic Park after making it five trophies in two seasons with a 3-1 Scottish Cup win over Inverness.
Many Celtic fans fear their manager is London-bound and he would not give any assurances to the contrary.
“I will say to them what I said to the players, let’s enjoy this,” he said. “I deserve to enjoy this, the people around me deserve to enjoy this.
“Whatever other people want to focus on and talk about, I am not going to miss enjoying this moment with this group of people but also I owe it to my family, my friends, all of those closest to me.
“Everyone works hard and makes sacrifices to enjoy these moments. I understand that other people who aren’t invested in it want to ask these questions but for me, right now, the most important thing is that we reflect and just be in the moment of creating something special.”
When it was pointed out that fans who are heavily-invested in Celtic are among those asking the questions, the 57-year-old said: “Yeah, but they deserve to enjoy this moment because, irrespective of what happens in the future, why would you not want to enjoy this moment just for what it is? It’s something historic.”
When asked if he anticipated being in Glasgow next season, the former Australia head coach said: “I anticipate enjoying this moment for the next 24-48 hours, as long as I can, before someone drags me away and takes my attention away from enjoying something that’s been hard-earned.
“The reality is, there’s probably players in that dressing room who won’t be here next year. That’s the nature of football.
“But I want them to enjoy it, I am going to enjoy it, and that’s all I am going to focus on until someone grabs me by the collar and tells me that I have to answer certain questions.”
Celtic wrap up treble with Scottish Cup success over Inverness
Celtic clinched the domestic treble with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park.
The showpiece occasion was played against the backdrop of mounting speculation around Tottenham’s interest in Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, who again had Kyogo Furuhashi to thank for his contribution.
The Japan striker struck for the 34th times this season in the 38th minute of an otherwise nondescript first half to undo the good early work of Billy Dodds’ rank outsiders.
The Championship outfit, who had not played a competitive game for a month, fell further behind when Hoops’ half-time substitute Liel Abada slid in a second in the 65th minute.
Caley substitute Dan MacKay pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining, only for Portuguese winger Jota to restore Celtic’s two-goal advantage as the game slipped into six minutes of added time.
It is the eighth time Celtic had completed the clean sweep of League, League Cup and Scottish Cup – a world record – and now eyes turn to see what the future holds for Postecoglou, who is the fifth Parkhead manager to win the treble.
Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League
Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City team to cement their greatness by winning the Champions League following their latest FA Cup success.
City completed the domestic double for a second time under Guardiola as they overpowered rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday.
Ilkay Gundogan scored both goals, including a stunning volley after just 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – as City proved far too strong for their neighbours.
Yet, for all their success in recent years, which also includes five Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups, Champions League glory has eluded them.
They will have the chance to put that right and secure a glorious treble when they face Inter Milan in next week’s final in Istanbul.
City manager Guardiola said: “Everybody knows it. We have done incredible seasons – five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, Carabao Cups, but we have to win the Champions League to be recognised like the team deserves to be recognised.
“We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it.
“We are one game away. I would say it is incredible, remarkable, that in three years we have had two finals and one semi-final of the Champions League.
“But in the end we have to win it. I know how it works. I said to the players, ‘You have to put the pressure on yourself. To be recognised as something good you have to win in Europe’.”
Before they fully switch focus to Inter, City can reflect on another superb trophy-winning performance.
Things did not all go their way. United pegged them back after Gundogan’s rapid opener with a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Jack Grealish was controversially adjudged to have handled following a VAR review.
Yet they responded early in the second half as Kevin De Bruyne picked out Gundogan on the edge of the area from a free-kick and the German volleyed in his second.
From then on, Guardiola’s side kept a tight grip on the contest and duly closed out the club’s seventh FA Cup triumph.
Guardiola said: “It was the best way to start a final. There was still more than 90 minutes left but it was important.
“In general we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk because the threat they have up front is so big, especially with (Marcus) Rashford, but we controlled it really well.
“A final against United is always, for many reasons, difficult but the better team won. We are humble enough to accept how good they are and we did it. We’re really pleased.
“Winning the FA Cup, the emotions are so, so special and to celebrate with our people, it is really great.”
Gundogan has enjoyed a fine end to the season and can now add an FA Cup final-winning double to the two goals he scored to clinch the Premier League title in the closing game of last season.
The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and his latest superb display will increase the club’s desire to tie him to new terms.
Guardiola said: “He knows what I think. He’s a neighbour of mine. We’ve lived on the same floor for many years and he’s a close friend of mine.
“He’s an exceptional player and hopefully we can finish it (contract talks) in a good way. The season he has done is exceptional. He is very important for many reasons.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
