International Football

Man United coaches credit Rashford’s goal to Benni McCarthy

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and his backroom staff reportedly shouted ‘Benni’ in reaction to Marcus Rashford’s goal against West Ham United on Sunday.

Manchester Evening News reports that the Dutchman and his backroom staff attributed Rashford’s bullet header to McCarthy’s influence.

The Red Devils have released footage capturing Ten Hag, assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren rising to acknowledge McCarthy’s efforts.

“In footage from Sunday’s match shared by United on their social media channels, Ten Hag and Van der Gaag stand up to celebrate Rashford’s goal…” the newspaper reports.

“…before the assistant coach appears to shout ‘Benni!’ in the direction of McCarthy, with Ten Hag also nodding in the direction of the former Blackburn striker.”

HOW BENNI SHARPENED UNITED FRONTLINE

United hired the Bafana Bafana’s all-leading scorer as striker’s coach after team’s strikers had forgotten how to score last season.

Scoring responsibilities were placed on the shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo last season.

OUT OF CR7 SHADOW

The overdependence on the ageing Portuguese superstar rendered United predictable and slow.

The likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial, who was eventually loaned out, and Bruno Fernandes lost their scoring touch.

Rashford has now emerged from Ronaldo’s larger than life shadow to become the Red Devil’s main focal point of attack.

Apart from Van der Gaag, Steve McClaren and McCathy, Ten Hag also has Eric Ramsay (set-piece coach), Richard Hartis and Craig Mawson (goalkeeping coaches).

The coming in of Ten Hag has seen United upping their game with terrific pressing.

United are now able to beat fancied opposition such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

The former AmaZulu coach’s coming in has also seen Martial and even Jordan Sancho scoring.

World football reacted with utter surprise when Ten Hag hired the former Blackburn and West Ham forward as striker’s coach.

McCarthy is also the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League while at Porto.

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