Man Utd star Marcus Rashford asked Erik ten Hag a bold question during crunch talks

Marcus Rashford reflects Man Utd's pre-season tour in Australia

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Manchester United star Marcus Rashford asked Erik ten Hag when he’ll be used as a No 9 during crunch talks that took place prior to their 2-1 win over Liverpool, according to reports. The England international has previously been used on the left under his previous bosses at Old Trafford, for the most part. And it shows the 24-year-old still remains confident he can make a difference, despite struggling over the past 12 months.

Manchester United have seen Rashford go off the boil over the last year, with the England international enduring a nightmare season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last time out.

However, he was back to his best on Monday night as the Red Devils stunned Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford to secure their first victory of the new Premier League season.

Rashford has, for the most part, been used as a winger by his United bosses. Louis van Gaal was the only exception, with the Dutchman instead using the forward as a No 9 during the final few months of his tenure.

And The Sun say Rashford, during a tense meeting behind the scenes at Carrington, asked Ten Hag when he’d be using him in a similar way.

During pre-season, the 24-year-old talked with his new manager – with Ten Hag previously letting it be known he’d be ready to offer him a starting berth.

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It was certainly bold of Rashford to be so forthright, especially given how United have centre-forwards such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial on their books.

But the question, it seemed, then paid off.

Ten Hag used Rashford down the middle as United put Liverpool to the sword, with the England international producing his best performance in recent memory as they picked up their first win of the season.

Now, with Southampton up next on Saturday, it’s possible the Red Devils manager will stick with the same side that consigned Jurgen Klopp’s team to defeat earlier in the week.

That will mean Ronaldo being left out again, with the Portugal international still eager to leave for a team who can offer him Champions League football.

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The 37-year-old was, according to the publication, told he’d be dropped by Ten Hag in front of the entire squad having failed to make an impact in the Red Devils’ recent 4-0 defeat to Brentford.

And it was a similar story for club captain Harry Maguire, too, with the 29-year-old left out due to Ten Hag’s desire to field Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez together.

United will be hoping to go on a run of results now as they look to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

And the good news for the Red Devils is that, against Southampton, new signing Casemiro is expected to go straight into the side following his arrival from Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old wasn’t initially a target for United at the start of the summer, with the Red Devils prioritising the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot.

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But Casemiro was snapped up because United felt he was an opportunity too good to turn down, though the Samba star has been given a surprisingly long five-year contract.

And the former Real star, who won five Champions League titles during his glittering spell at the club, has now opened up about the qualities he’ll be bringing to his new employers.

“I’m a player that loves to work hard,” he told club media.

“[I am] a player that gives everything on the pitch, but not just over 90 minutes, in training too, which for me is the most important thing.

“For me you train like you play. I feel that’s key to winning games and titles.

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“You have to train as hard as possible to play at your best, be strong and fully committed.”

And he also added: “Of course everyone wants to win matches, win in training, learn in training.

“But I’m one of those players who wants to go home and know that I’ve done my job.

“That’s my philosophy, my mentality and now it’s all about giving everything for Manchester United.”

United failed to beat Southampton in their two matches against them last season, with the Red Devils drawing 1-1 at both Old Trafford and St Mary’s.

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