Erik ten Hag hails "very good" Marcus Rashford performance against Aston Villa

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he was delighted with Marcus Rashford's contribution during Tuesday's 3-2 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old has struggled during the 2023-24 campaign, and he has recently lost his starting role at the club, with Alejandro Garnacho being preferred down the left.

Rashford was brought in for a start against Villa on Boxing Day, though, and he provided an assist in his side's 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has said that the England international "played very good" against Unai Emery's side, and the forward has now been backed to kick on by his manager.

"I think he played very good. But he was ill during a period [of time]. But also, he had one or two games that we prefer to play Garnacho over [on] the left side, and because he [Garnacho] deserved it," the Dutchman told reporters during his post-match press conference.

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"He showed he was not only a threat, but he had key actions: assists, shots on target and scored goals. So yeah, there is also internal competition, but we have to see how we fit them in with togetherness.

"And today we played Alejandro on the right side, and that can be a solution, but it can also be fluid. But also, I know Rashford will also score from the right side."

Ten Hag also commented on Garnacho's switch to the right, with the Argentina international scoring twice from that area of the field during a strong performance.

"I think we did it previously as well, and then he was almost more comfortable on the left. But yeah, I think he can play on the right as well," the head coach added.

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"And, today, I think he was from that right side, over 90 minutes, absolutely a threat, and scored twice. But I think the whole frontline played very good, and invested so lot runs behind, and the timings were so good, and I think it was continually a threat for the opponent."

Rashford was replaced in the 80th minute of the clash with Villa, but it is understood that fatigue forced him off rather than an injury problem.

As a result, the forward is expected to be fit for Saturday's clash with Nottingham Forest, where he could again feature alongside Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund in the final third of the field.

Anthony Martial was again absent due to illness, and it remains to be seen whether he is available for the trip to Forest, while Antony's disappointing form saw him drop out of the XI on Tuesday.

Man United also have doubts over Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat for their final match of the year after both players missed the clash with Villa due to minor injury problems.