Erik ten Hag has backed Marcus Rashford to get back to his best after he failed to convert pivotal chances in Manchester United’s Community Shield defeat by Manchester City. United were left to rue the missed opportunities as City won on penalties after Alejandro Garnacho and Bernardo Silva traded late goals in normal time.
The England striker had two opportunities to give United the lead but failed to convert from close range under limited pressure from defenders. Rashford scored only seven times in 33 Premier League appearances last season and was not called up to England’s Euro 2024 squad because of his overall poor form.
Asked if he felt Rashford was lacking confidence, Ten Hag replied: “No, I think he was several times in very good positions, I am very pleased he is getting in those positions. He needs to keep going and keep making those movements and he will score goals. He is experienced enough to deal with this. Once he scores one, the goals will come.”
United had no natural defenders on the bench and utilised Lisandro Martínez at left-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was absent with a move to West Ham imminent but United are close bringing in reinforcements from Bayern Munich in the form of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. In the meantime, the forward Facundo Pellistri was given the surprise chance to come on at right-back to confirm the paucity of options.
“When we have some news, we will announce it,” Ten Hag said of transfers. “Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available. It’s clear we have the problems and we have to work, the players have to work to be available and the staff have to work, together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.”
Pep Guardiola saw a promising start to the campaign from the young attacking midfielders Oscar Bobb, John McAtee and debutant Savinho. “They have the standards to be here,” Guardiola said of Bobb and McAtee. “Today they played really good. The most important thing with these types of players is they have the confidence of their teammates – they adore them and they can rely on them. Oscar made a fantastic game like all pre-season and McAtee the first two games in the States was not good but the third, fourth and today was the McAtee that we want him to be.”
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Bobb created the equaliser for Silva to take the match to penalties. “The chance he can do in the final third he can do more regularly,” said Guardiola. “He is a bit passive but he has something unique, the first one or two steps right and left are unbelievable. How he turned and made the cross is incredible but he has the ability to do it more regularly.”