Why Erik ten Hag felt Manchester United strikers needed a Benni McCarthy

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed why he felt the club’s strikers needed a Benni McCarthy.

Ten Hag took over an ailing United side and has already led them to their first trophy in six years. 

United won the Carabao Cup last month and just booked a place in the Europa League quarterfinals. They are also in contention for the FA Cup, where they face Fulham on Sunday in the Last Eight.

MARCUS RASHFORD KEY TO MANCHESTER UNITED’S TURNAROUND 

Key to their turnaround has been England forward Marcus Rashford, whose goal in the second leg of the Europa League win against Real Betis on Thursday was his 27th of the season.

His current tally, with two more months before the curtain comes down on the current season, is Rashford’s career best.

The Dutch manager has shared the reason why he felt his forwards needed someone in the mould of the former Bafana Bafana record goalscorer Benni McCarthy.

It didn’t matter to the former Ajax Amsterdam manager that the South African had only held two head coaching jobs in Africa when he hired him.

ERIK TEN HAG REITERATES BENNI MCCARTHY’S IMPACT

“I think the most important is the way of playing, that gives him [Rashford] a base, gives him a structure, the way of play is in his favour because I knew his skills and then you also being staff around who can make it better and make it progress,” Ten Hag said of Rashford’s form this season. 

He went on to reiterate why he felt McCarthy, who scored 37 goals in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, would be of help to his frontmen.

“I thought we needed one on the staff who is specific and responsible for strikers, Benni is doing a good job. I think the staff has a good balance, and we do it together, and it’s not only about Benni McCarthy, all have specific jobs in our staff. There’s a good vibe, they challenge each other, it’s a total package, and it’s not about one person.”

Barring injuries and lack of form, the Three Lions forward, Rashford, is on course to become the first United player to score 30 goals in all competitions for a decade.

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