Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag speaks out on Marcus Rashford form

Marcus Rashford had scored five goals in the first eight games of last season but he has one in eight for Man United this season.

Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford “can do better” after he was substituted in the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Rashford was erratic again and moved to the right flank after Alejandro Garnacho replaced Facundo Pellistri in the 61st minute. Rashford eventually made way for Anthony Martial on 77 minutes.

The 25-year-old has scored only one goal this season and United supporters were pining for Garnacho to be introduced before he eventually emerged. Some United supporters audibly groaned a number of times whenever Rashford ceded possession.

Rashford signed a new five-year contract in July, having plundered 30 goals in 2022-23 and claiming the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year. However, his current form could lead to a recall for Garnacho against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“I think he knows he can do better than he does now,” Ten Hag said of Rashford, “and I am sure it will come.

“He works hard and that is what he is doing. He will net, he will finish and it will come but it is not going to be automatic.

He has to invest a lot, the team has to invest a lot around him. Today, we were in the right positions but the decision-making was not good enough and then we don’t score.”

Garnacho had two attempts on target during his 29-minute outing, having scored the opening goal against Palace in the 3-0 League Cup stroll four days earlier.

The 19-year-old has not started in the Premier League since the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham on August 19 and he was unused in the 4-3 reverse to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage opener.