Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Bruno Fernandes, dating back to his time with Sporting CP.

The 28-year-old midfielder impressed with both goals in Portugal's 2-0 win over Uruguay at the World Cup on Monday.

Fernandes signed a new contract with Manchester United in April, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2026 with the option of a further year.

TOP STORY – REAL MADRID CONSIDER JANUARY MOVE FOR FERNANDES

Spanish giants Real Madrid could try to tempt Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes to the club in January or at the end of the season, reports The Express.

Los Blancos' long-held interest in Fernandes has intensified amid his impressive displays at the World Cup.

Portuguese outlet Record claims that Madrid are scouting Fernandes while he plays for the national team.

The Express report says that the lure of Champions League football may tempt Fernandes should United miss the top four this season.

ROUND-UP

– Cristiano Ronaldo is close to agreeing to a deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, according to Marca. The Telegraph had reported that the deal was worth £150million per season, although The Sun has claimed that the ex-Manchester United star still wants to play Champions League football and has not accepted the offer.

– Gareth Bale's LAFC contract has a break clause that could see him leave the club prior to the new MLS season in February 2023, according to The Sun. The Mirror claims the Welshman will make a decision on his future by February.

– The Mirror claims that Manchester United are bullish about retaining Marcus Rashford's services, with the striker out of contract at the end of this season. United will exercise an option to extend his deal by another 12 months in January.

– Manchester United have made Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong their top transfer target in January, reports the Daily Mail. United have sent scouts to watch the Dutch defender, with a view to ramping up talks after the World Cup.

– Inter expect €30m for Tottenham-target Denzel Dumfries, according to Tuttosport. The Nerazzurri are willing to sell the Dutch right-back in January.

– The Times reports Brighton and Hove Albion's Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour could join Spanish club Villarreal in January.

Marcus Rashford must start for England against Senegal in the World Cup last 16 after his performance against Wales, says Gary Neville.

The Manchester United forward bagged a double on his first start of the tournament to steer the Three Lions to a 3-0 victory over their neighbours in their final Group B match.

Drafted in by Gareth Southgate alongside Phil Foden to replace Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling up top, Rashford's superb showing has provided further selection headaches for his boss.

But Neville believes there should be no question about his place, tipping him to be among the first names on the teamsheet.

"He's been like that for a good six months at Manchester United now," he told Sky Sports. "He's back on it.

"He's a massive talent, he can improve, and he will continue to improve. It's great to see him in an England shirt.

"I think he's actually pushed himself into a position whereby he's the one I think will start on Sunday. He's the one guaranteed to start in that wide position with [Harry] Kane in the middle."

Neville also had high praise for Foden, who netted the other goal against Wales on his first start at Qatar 2022, but also noted he was unsure whether he would get the nod.

"I thought he did really well because there was pressure on him," he added. "There was massive focus from everyone on him.

"I would keep those two in, but I love Sterling, I love Saka as well, so I couldn't really complain if any of them were in.

"Sterling has been a brilliant performer for Gareth, so it's really difficult to see. I thought Rashford and Foden were the two outstanding players [against Wales] that looked most dangerous."

Luke Shaw challenged Marcus Rashford to match his "unplayable" display against Wales throughout the rest of England's World Cup campaign.

Rashford scored England's opener and their final goal in a 3-0 win over their British rivals at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday.

The victory sent England into the last 16 as Group B winners, and they will now face Senegal for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rashford, one of four new faces introduced by Gareth Southgate for the game, curled in a wonderful free-kick to break the deadlock early in the second half, before he doubled his tally with a low shot after a mazy run, with Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward allowing the ball through his legs.

After becoming the first Manchester United player to score three goals at a World Cup since Bobby Charlton in 1966, when England won the trophy, Rashford must now replicate that level of performance time and time again, according to his club-mate Shaw.

When asked by Stats Perform what he thought of Rashford's display, Shaw replied: "He's so good, the talent he's got, he can be unplayable. 

"I think he needs to deliver that every single game he plays. He's got the quality that can make a difference, he's an unbelievable player and one that can make the difference for us.

"Hopefully he can keep those standards high and keep doing it."

Rashford, who finished with six shots, only one fewer than the entire Wales team managed combined, had scored eight times in 19 appearances for United this season heading into the World Cup, and Shaw has full faith the 25-year-old will keep up his form.

"Very confident. I see it day in, day out – what he's doing, how he's training," Shaw added. "He took his chance, I think it was his time to start and for me he took his chance.

"He needs to keep the standards high now, because he's a really important player."

Phil Foden was a star of the show along with Rashford.

Having faced criticism from some quarters for not bringing the Manchester City youngster on against the United States last week, Southgate started Foden in place of Bukayo Saka.

While Foden took a while to get going, he clicked through the gears as the first half wore on and was on the end of a brilliant Harry Kane delivery to make it 2-0 just 98 seconds after Rashford's opener.

"Not just the ones that started today, you look at the bench and the quality we have, we have World Class players who if they're not starting can come on and change a game," Shaw said when asked if Foden could be decisive in pushing England deep into the tournament.

"Phil didn't get a chance against the USA but he came in and was the wonderful player we all know, getting on the ball, making things happen, scoring a very important goal at a crucial time and that’s what we want from all of them. We need them to be like that."

Rashford revealed after the match that he had recently suffered the loss of a friend, and Shaw – whose grandmother passed away shortly before the World Cup – explained the unique unity of the England camp had been crucial in helping him overcome the loss.

"One million per cent," Shaw said. "The togetherness is not something I've witnessed in a team before.

"Everyone is so close together, we get on so well and push each other every day to get better and keep the standards high. It brings everyone closer together."

Gareth Southgate labelled Marcus Rashford at the World Cup as a "completely different player" to his England performances during the delayed Euro 2020.

The Manchester United forward missed a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out in the European Championship final defeat to Italy before a wave of online racial abuse was targeted at Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.

Rashford appeared out of form following the Euro 2020 heartbreak but impressive club performances for United ahead of the November break saw him secure a place in Southgate's 26-man squad for Qatar.

The 25-year-old scored as a substitute in the 6-2 victory over Iran and celebrated a brace after starting in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Wales to send England through as Group B winners.

That made Rashford the first United player to score three goals at a major tournament for England since Bobby Charlton at the 1966 World Cup, leading Southgate to hail the striker's transformation.

"It has been a challenge for him. I went and saw him before the season and had a long chat with him, he had some clear ideas on what he needed to do," the England manager said of Rashford.

"With his club, he's been happy with his performances this year and it showed on the training ground with us.

"We've got a completely different player here than we did at the Euros, he could have had a hat-trick in the first half as he was getting in all the right areas. He deserved his goals."

No player at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium enjoyed more touches in the opposition box (eight), shots (six) – just one fewer than the entire Wales team managed – or attempts on target (four) than Rashford.

His excellent showing offers Southgate a selection dilemma heading into Sunday's last-16 clash with Senegal, with Phil Foden also scoring after Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka dropped to the bench.

Southgate's decision not to use Foden at all during the drag goalless draw against the United States drew criticism, but the manager welcomed the headache he now has.

"You need goals from all areas, it is a problem for opposition teams if the threat is coming from other areas of the pitch," Southgate added. 

"We have talked about that a lot, across the three games pretty much all our forward line have got off the mark with goals or quality assists.

"That is a good place for the forwards to be, they need that confidence, competing for places is where we want to be because then everyone knows they have to deliver.

"You want those sorts of decisions, we need strength in depth. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips both got minutes, you never know when we are going to need certain players."

England reached the semi-finals at the World Cup in Russia in 2018 before going one better at the Euro 2020 three years later, but Qatar marked the first time the Three Lions have topped their group at FIFA's global competition since 2006.

Southgate remains buoyed with confidence as he believes England are a much-improved side to the one that fell to defeat against Croatia in 2018's last four.

"Compared to Russia there's a different mentality and a different belief," he continued. "In Russia, it was more like could we just win one knockout game, but there's more confidence now.

"We have more experience, I'm not sure if we're ahead of where we were [at the Euros]. But we have achieved our first objective.

"Against Senegal, who have some top players playing in big leagues across Europe, we know on the rankings we will be favourites but they are a very dangerous team."

Marcus Rashford has "massive ambitions" with England after his double downed Wales and sent the Three Lions into the World Cup's knockout stage as Group B winners.

Rashford took his goal tally in Qatar to three after a wonderful free-kick and brilliant individual effort helped Gareth Southgate's side book a last-16 data against Senegal with a 3-0 victory at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

The forward, who became the first United player to score three times for the Three Lions at a World Cup since Bobby Charlton in 1966, hopes his team-mates can carry their momentum into that clash on Sunday.

"It's obviously a great feeling [to score two goals]," he told BBC Sport. "To be honest, we were a little bit disappointed as a team after the last game against the USA. I thought we could've played a lot better.

"The only way to bounce back from that is to have a good performance in your next game, and I thought we did that. The first half, we defended brilliantly, we didn't give them any opportunities.

"It was just about us killing the game off really and taking the chances when they came.

"I fancied [a free-kick] in the first half, but the one in the second half was in a better position. From there, it's just about being calm and trying to execute what you've practised in training. They don't go in often, but I'm pleased that it went in today.

"Moments like this - this is what I play football for - the biggest moments, the best moments. I'm really happy that we're going through to the next round.

"Hopefully, we can build on this performance because I still have massive ambitions for this team, and I think we can play even better than what we've shown today."

Player of the match Rashford was the subject of high praise from team-mate Jude Bellingham, who also highlighted Phil Foden after the Manchester City midfielder marked his first start at the finals with the second goal in Al Rayyan.

"We've got lots of depth in those attacking areas and whoever comes on always seem to make an impact," the Borussia Dortmund midfielder said. 

"Whether it's from the start or from the bench, the change of personnel doesn't really affect the style or performance of the team, which is quite rare. 

"I'm so happy for [Marcus], what a performance - he was brilliant. When he gets the ball and he's got that freedom to take people on.

"In a game like this, there's big pressure on a free-kick like that, and the way he's delivered is brilliant. He put us in a really good position for the rest of the match.

"I'm [also] really happy for Phil. He's had quite a bit of pressure on him the last few days, given all the attention. But he's just shown today how good he is again.

"What you saw in the first game was a really good attacking display. The second game, we defended our box really well and today, you got a mix of both.

"The aim coming this game was to make sure we tie them both up, and we did. It was a good performance from us."

Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden starred to send England through to the World Cup knockout stage as Group B winners after a 3-0 victory over Wales on Tuesday.

Victory sets up a last-16 clash with Group A runners-up Senegal on Sunday for England, while Wales crashed out in Qatar without a win for the first time in a major tournament.

Foden started at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium after being left out of the goalless draw with the United States on Friday and won the free-kick for Rashford to break the deadlock in the 50th minute.

Manchester City star Foden extended the lead just a minute later before Rashford doubled his account to eliminate an uninspiring Wales from Group B, in which the USA beat Iran to progress as runners-up.

Rashford spurned a glorious ninth-minute opportunity after being denied by the onrushing Danny Ward, who replaced the suspended Wayne Hennessey.

England continued to dominate possession without testing Ward often as Foden blasted over on the turn, while Joe Allen angled a rare Wales chance off target before the break.

A masterful Foden drive ended with an England free-kick in an inviting position before Rashford whipped into the top-right corner to beat an unsighted Ward.

Harry Kane drilled across the area from the right soon after for Foden to convert at the back post, before Jordan Pickford parried from Kieffer Moore to keep Wales at bay.

Ward was again beaten with somewhat ease as Rashford powered through the legs of the goalkeeper, who denied Jude Bellingham to keep the scoreline down late on.

What does it mean? England continue Wales dominance to book last-16 berth

The pressure ramped upon England after an underwhelming showing in the USA stalemate but Southgate's side responded well in their first World Cup meeting with a fellow British side.

England remained patient throughout and reaped well-deserved rewards in a rapid second-half opening to ensure a seventh straight victory over Wales, scoring 14 and conceding just one in that run.

Knockout football is where England have impressed in recent years and Southgate will know it is time to deliver again, while Wales head home after disappointing in just their second appearance in the tournament.

Rashford redemption

Rashford will have been frustrated to chip a presentable opening at the incoming Ward in what proved to be England's best first-half chance.

But the forward made amends after the interval with two goals, while recording game-leading figures for touches in the opposition box (eight), shots (six) and attempts on target (four) in an encouraging showing.

Bale missing on the world stage

Gareth Bale had the fewest touches of any Wales players to complete 90 minutes in both games against the USA and Iran, though a penalty in the first outing somewhat sheltered the Wales captain from criticism.

The 33-year-old was again largely a passenger in the Middle East against England, managing just four passes and seven touches – both the fewest of any player to start – before his half-time removal.

What's next?

England face Senegal in five days at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, while Wales will take time to reflect on an unsuccessful global campaign.

Harry Kane was named in England's starting XI for Tuesday's World Cup clash with Wales, with Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Kyle Walker also coming into the team.

Gareth Southgate gave little away on Monday when asked if Kane, who has been struggling with a foot injury, would feature from the off at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

England's progress from Group B would be assured with a point against Wales, who would need to win by at least three goals if they are to qualify, depending on the outcome of Iran v United States in the other match.

Kane has only scored three times in 10 games for England in 2022, with all those goals coming from the penalty spot. 

Southgate has made four changes from England's last game.

Foden did not come on in the goalless draw with the USA, with Southgate's decision not to call on the Manchester City star drawing criticism from some quarters, but the youngster has replaced Bukayo Saka, while Sterling has made way for Rashford.

Kyle Walker, meanwhile, makes his first start of the tournament, with the full-back having recovered from a groin injury he suffered in October, and Jordan Henderson got the nod over Mason Mount.

Wales boss Rob Page, meanwhile, has made three changes from the side he started in the 2-0 defeat to Iran.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off in that match and has been replaced by Leicester City's Danny Ward.

Midfielder Joe Allen and Fulham winger Dan James also came in for the Dragons, with Connor Roberts and Harry Wilson dropping to the bench.

Marcus Rashford shrugged off the suggestion England are too conservative under Gareth Southgate as he insisted they have a killer instinct.

England drew 0-0 with the United States on Friday, in a World Cup match that saw both teams only accumulate a combined 1.4 expected goals (xG).

The draw leaves England – 6-2 victors over Iran in their opening match – on four points at the top of Group B, meaning they only need to avoid defeat against neighbours Wales on Tuesday to guarantee qualification.

A win would confirm their place as group winners, but manager Southgate has been criticised in some quarters for his pragmatic approach.

Yet with England having reached a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a final at the delayed Euro 2020 last year, Rashford does not believe the critics' point stands up to scrutiny.

"We've shown progression, I can only speak on the time that I’ve been here, from 2016," Rashford said in a press conference.

"You look at the performance against Iceland when we got knocked out of the Euros, it's a million miles off where we are now, you can’t even compare them.

"We have great players, playing top football against the best opposition week in and week out, so we can't go into games and think negatively. It's not something the players do or the manager does. He always wants us to show people what we can do.

"We play positive football, it showed against Iran, scoring six goals. They're a top-20 team in the world. We've seen the smaller nations get massive upsets in the tournament.

"So scoring those goals, it's a big sign of what we're about. If we can kill a team off, we'd want to do that."

The onus will not be wholly on England at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with Wales needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

After drawing their first game against the United States, Wales lost 2-0 to Iran last time out, meaning they must topple England to stand a chance of progressing from the group, and even a win might not be enough.

"Of course we can [beat England], we have shown time and time again when you write us off we will prove people wrong," said Wales defender Chris Mepham.

"The picture is clear now: we have to beat England and be prepping for that. Hopefully we can be in a position where we give a good account of ourselves and see where it takes us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wales – Danny Ward

With first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey seeing red against Iran, it means Danny Ward will likely be coming into the starting XI.

Ward had a poor start to the season with Leicester City, though he gradually improved. That being said, he picked the ball out of his net twice in the short time he was on the pitch against Iran.

If Wales are to get the result they need, they will need their goalkeeper to be at his very best.

England – Phil Foden

Much has been made of Southgate's decision to leave Manchester City attacker Phil Foden on the bench against the USA.

While Foden is not guaranteed to play, Southgate might be wise to hand the youngster a start to exploit the space that might be left given Wales are going to have to go for the win.

PREDICTION

This is England's first World Cup match against a fellow British side. The Three Lions are unbeaten in all three games against other British teams at the Euros (W1 D1 vs Scotland, W1 vs Wales), and Opta's model has them as the favourites for this one.

England are given a 66 per cent chance of victory, while Wales are rated as having a 13.1 per cent hope. The draw is at 20.9 per cent.

Marcus Rashford is hoping he gets a chance to redeem himself from a missed penalty in England's European Championship final defeat to Italy during the World Cup.

The Manchester United forward was among three members of Gareth Southgate's side to fail to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from the spot in the shootout, alongside Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.

The trio were then subject to racial abuse on social media, but that has not put him off stepping up for the Three Lions if required in Qatar.

"Racism is not good to go through as an individual but it's not good to see anyone go through it. [It's] more just disappointment. You're disappointed that people have views like that," he said.

"And the main reason is that you don't have those views about anyone else, regardless of their race or religion. It's more the disappointment that people are thinking those things, rather than saying them.

"I've missed a penalty before. You never want to miss a penalty, it's a great opportunity for forwards especially to score goals, and obviously they're big moment.

"As an individual I've always been comfortable with and enjoy big moments so I'm hoping I get to take another penalty in the tournament. I'm looking forward to it."

England were booed off following a goalless draw against the United States last time out, but stand on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages – with only a four-goal defeat to Wales in the final match enough to send them home.

Rashford is confident England will do what is required and will "leave it all out on the pitch" against Wales.

"It is not often I come away with England and feel like we're going to lose games. I think as a collective, we're very strong," he added.

"The togetherness is really high and it is a big feature that Gareth puts emphasis on.

"It is something we have worked on and it has improved as time has gone on. But like I said, the main reason why we are in the position we're in is because we have good players who are willing to work for one another and leave it all out on the pitch.

"In the next game, we'll definitely look to do that."

Marcus Rashford will "forever" cherish his days of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Ronaldo's Old Trafford departure was confirmed on Tuesday as United revealed the two parties came to a "mutual agreement" regarding his immediate exit.

That came after the 37-year-old held an explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, during which he openly criticised the club, its board and manager Erik ten Hag.

United said they "initiated appropriate steps" in the wake of the interview's full release, ultimately resulting in his second spell at the club coming to an end.

Ronaldo had struggled for form this season and found himself behind Rashford and Anthony Martial in the pecking order when they were all fit.

Despite the acrimonious conclusion to Ronaldo's time at the club, Rashford only looked back on their time together with a positive outlook.

"Listen, it's been an unbelievable experience to play with him," Rashford said.

"He's obviously one of my idols and someone I've always looked up to, so to have the opportunity to play with him is unbelievable.

"I'll take that with me and it's something that I can keep with me forever.

"So, I wish him all the best. We obviously want to thank him for the things that he's done for Manchester United and wish him all the best in the rest of his career."

Ronaldo is yet to sign with another club, but according to reports there are no restrictions on where he can move.

Chelsea and Newcastle United have been mentioned as potential destinations for the Portugal great, while Flamengo and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr are also rumoured to be keen.

Bukayo Saka scored twice as England made a flying start to their World Cup campaign by thrashing Iran 6-2 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

Saka – whose penalty miss proved decisive in the Euro 2020 final last year – netted a stunning volley to help Gareth Southgate's side take a 3-0 lead into half-time, before he doubled up after the break.

With Iran crumbling after goalkeeper Alireza Beyranvand suffered a nasty head injury early on, Jude Bellingham set the tone by scoring his first international goal, while Raheem Sterling prodded home England's third.

Mehdi Taremi denied England a clean sheet with a powerful finish, but substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish responded as the Three Lions sent out a message to their Group B rivals despite Taremi scoring a very late second from the penalty spot.

Harry Maguire was a nuisance in the opposition box and saw an early penalty appeal waved away before powering a header against the crossbar in the 32nd minute.

Three minutes later, Bellingham diverted Luke Shaw's hanging cross into the top-right corner with a fine looping header.

With Iran struggling to contain the Three Lions, Maguire nodded a corner into the path of Saka to unleash a fierce volley into the top-right corner and double England's lead.

Southgate's rampant side then made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when Sterling cutely diverted home Harry Kane's right-wing cross.

There was no sign of England slowing down after the break, as Saka clinched his brace by cutting inside to drill a low finish beyond Iran substitute Hossein Hosseini.

Taremi denied England a clean sheet by firing in off the crossbar, but substitutes Rashford and Grealish produced composed finishes as the Three Lions extended their lead to 6-1.

There was one last piece of action when Taremi converted from the spot at the end of stoppage time after a VAR check contentiously ruled he was fouled by John Stones.

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.

Erik ten Hag was proud of Manchester United's resilience after the Red Devils twice came from behind to seal a frantic 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup on Thursday.

United were heading for a second consecutive third-round exit from the competition when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring at Old Trafford, and again when Diogo Dalot put through his own net after Anthony Martial equalised.

However, Marcus Rashford got United back on level terms before goals from Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay took the game away from Villa, helping the Red Devils into the fourth round.

Ten Hag hit out at an "unacceptable" performance when United fell to a 3-1 Premier League defeat to Villa on Sunday, but he was thrilled by Thursday's comeback against the same opponents.

"Two halves are never the same, it's true. First half, we controlled the game by good pressing, we won a lot of balls in the opponents' half, but then did the wrong things," he told Sky Sports shortly before United were drawn with Burnley in the fourth round.

"At half-time, we said, 'keep the pressing but be more direct, pass the ball behind their defence'. Then we came back, we fought back. 

"I'm really proud of the team that they could do that after Sunday's defeat.

"I'm really happy with that resilience, that's what we need to show every game, that's why I was so disappointed – so mad – with the performance on Sunday.

"We didn't fight, we didn't cooperate, we were sloppy – especially in the defensive discipline, and a United player always has to show 100 per cent discipline."

United travel to Fulham for their final Premier League game before the World Cup on Sunday, and Ten Hag says the extended break will allow for a better analysis of his team's progress.

"Now we have a little more time, we can go a bit deeper, and we will see where we can improve. We will have a good reflection, definitely," Ten Hag added.

"It's a quick game, an intense game, and what we have to do better is to play football at a high intensity, that's what the top teams do. 

"I think we have made a step in the right direction, but on the ball, we can be more in control. There's still a long way to go."

Meanwhile, Rashford hit the net for the eighth time this season on the day he was named in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup, and the 25-year-old believes focusing on United has benefited him.

"For me, the focus is United. If you're performing for United then England is always going to be around the corner," Rashford said.

"I'm obviously really pleased to be back in the mix and back with the squad, and it's going to be a massive month so I'm looking forward to that, but hopefully we can close this chapter off with a win on Sunday."

Manchester United twice came from behind to seal a thrilling 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup, avenging Sunday's Premier League defeat to Unai Emery's men.

With Erik ten Hag resting several key players and Cristiano Ronaldo absent through illness at Old Trafford, United fell behind through Ollie Watkins' well-taken finish at the start of a frantic second half, though Anthony Martial swiftly levelled.

United then went 2-1 down when Diogo Dalot put into his own net, but Marcus Rashford's strike set up a grandstand finish.

Fernandes saw an effort deflect off Tyrone Mings before nestling in the top-left corner and McTominay finished the visitors off to ensure United advanced to the fourth round following a back-and-forth encounter.

Marcus Rashford insists winning a place in England's squad for the World Cup is not in his thoughts as he looks to maintain his strong form for Manchester United.

Rashford powered home a header to lift United to a 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on Sunday, his 100th goal for the Red Devils in all competitions.

The forward needed 25 Premier League appearances to score four goals last season, a tally he has already matched after 12 games of the current campaign. 

Rashford's poor performances last season saw him lose his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, but the 25-year-old is not obsessing over his fight to make the trip to Qatar.

"I'm not thinking about the World Cup at the minute," Rashford said. "I'm concentrating on the next game, we have to try and keep winning games here, we've got two more league games before the World Cup. 

"If we win those two games, we'll stay in touch with the top four, so that's what I'm focused on."

United have won seven of their last 10 league games after starting the season with back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, and Rashford puts that improvement down to the approach of Erik ten Hag.

"I just think the energy is different, that's the biggest thing, the energy is more positive within the whole team and at the training ground, for me that is the biggest thing," he added.

"I just want it to keep going really and keep enjoying it. If we're winning games, I'm sure that will happen.

"It's stuff that he mentioned as soon as he came in, we've been working on that, not meaningfully, but we've been improving and the best way to do it is on the pitch and in games."

Rashford's goal against West Ham was just his seventh in club football with his head, and the forward has been working with Ten Hag to improve his aerial prowess.

"Getting into the areas is one thing, but the technique and the desire and wanting to get your head on the end of it, that's what I've been working on. It's nice to get a couple of goals out of that," he added.

"He just wants me to be in the right areas, scoring goals, pressing high up the pitch, little things I'm trying to keep chipping away at, keep working. 

"Even if you're not having the best of days, let's try and stick to those principles [and] use that as a base, those fundamentals, to round off your performance."