Erik ten Hag slams Premier League decision as he defends Marcus Rashford (original) (raw)
Manchester United returned from the international break with a comfortable 3-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's, with Marcus Rashford finding the net
Erik ten Hag hasn't been happy at how his side's first two away games were scheduled
Erik ten Hag launched a passionate defence of Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward's season exploded into life at Southampton.
The Dutchman, who feels Rashford was unfairly criticised after the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, said when asked what his red-hot display could do for his confidence: "It’s very important.
"We don’t pay attention to what the outside world is telling us. But there was too much negativity towards him after Liverpool because he created two great chances, 100 per cent chances, in that game. And also in other games in this season so far he has played very well. He deserved a goal but you have to work for it.
"That is what he is doing at this moment, and then you get a reward. He scored a great goal. He has already scored so many goals for Manchester United. For his age, the number of goals is amazing, and I’m sure he will get many more.
"To get into a season for every striker it is so important to get on the scoring list. Then you are building momentum, you are building belief and then it will come into more goals.
"Once a striker was talking about a ketchup bottle, once it's going, it's coming more."
Ten Hag also hit out at the Premier League's "unfair TV schedule" after United fans were tasked with completing a monstrous 225-mile trip to St Mary's for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
He added: "It’s very unfair for the fans to deal with this. 8pm away games on a Saturday night or the 12:30pm slot - it’s not right.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag (
Image:
Getty Images)
"But they are always there. I am so proud of our fans. They are always there, and whatever happens on the pitch, they are always supportive of the team. There’s a really good connection, as you saw today. They bring a very good ambience at Old Trafford but also in away games but I think the Premier League should also pay some attention to this in the fixture list."
Despite the long away trip on the back of the international break, Ten Hag was not prepared to fall back on excuses - though thankfully, his side were able to deliver the goods at St Mary's.
He concluded: "It’s a big disadvantage, but we have to deal with it. They did today. The players are mature. It doesn’t matter, we always have to win. We can’t bring any excuse for not winning a game."
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