Man Utd dressing room picks sides in Ronaldo or Rashford debate

Ten Hag praises 'happy' Rashford as Man Utd host Sociedad

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Manchester United’s dressing room is reportedly in agreement with manager Erik ten Hag that the side are better off with Marcus Rashford up front than five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Ten Hag has opted for Rashford as the man to lead the line in every one of United’s six Premier League games so far this season, while the legendary Ronaldo has started just one having found himself left to settle with a bit-part role from the bench.

Ronaldo appeared to sabotage his own chances of holding down a regular spot within United’s starting XI under Ten Hag after kicking up a stink over the summer. The 37-year-old made no secret of his desire to depart the club in order to satisfy an insatiable desire to compete within the Champions League this season, and scarcely featured in the Red Devils’ pre-season preparations under Ten Hag as a result

Having failed to secure a move away, amid a number of reported snubs from top teams across Europe, the famed forward now remains at Old Trafford until January at the earliest. But despite United achieving their aim of retaining the Portuguese superstar, who contributed 24 goals in 39 appearances last season, Ten Hag has shown no desire to re-integrate the former Real Madrid and Juventus striker into his starting XI.

Ten Hag has already shown this season that Rashford is his preferred option up top – and the rest of United’s dressing room are understood to be in agreement. According to The Sun, Ten Hag’s players feel the side are a better team with the England international in the line-up and Ronaldo benched.

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The report states that Ronaldo’s presence in the United side damages player confidence, with many feeling “pressured” into passing to the iconic forward. One source is said to have claimed: “As long as Ronaldo starts on the bench, the players have the confidence to express themselves.

“With Ronaldo on the pitch, the team feel pressured. All the players loved it when Ronaldo came back but they’re frustrated he missed pre-season. Ronaldo’s not up to speed and relies on instinct — but that doesn’t work in Ten Hag’s system.”

Meanwhile, Ten Hag is understood to have set Rashford a 20-goal target for this season and assured the 24-year-old he will do all he can to ensure the United academy graduate is selected in England’s World Cup squad for Qatar. A source is thought to have said: “The manager wants Marcus to be United’s number one striker and lead the line up front.

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“He believes Marcus has the ability to become one of the world’s best and wants him to express himself in matches. He is always telling him to use his pace and skills when he gets a chance. He told Marcus he will easily score 20 this season. They have a great relationship and Marcus is really happy.”

Rashford has already netted three goals and registered two assists across his six Premier League starts this season. Last term he managed five goals and the same number of assists across the whole campaign.

Following United’s 3-1 triumph over early Premier League pacesetter Arsenal last weekend, Ten Hag is also understood to have told United that it is his side who should be top of the league, not Arsenal, while outlining that Manchester City are United’s only title threat this season.

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