<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> boss Erik ten Hag has given Marcus Rashford some high praise during a recent interview. The Dutch coach claimed that his English forward is one of the best in the world and even compared him to Kylian Mbappé. Ten Hag made the comments during talks with the club’s official website.</p>



<p>“From the first moment, I recognized huge potential,” ten Hag <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-confirms-marcus-rashford-is-staying-at-man-utd-and-is-one-of-best-strikers-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>. “And now to get out the potential, I believe when Marcus’s positioning is on the back of the defending line, there is almost no better player in the world.”</p>



<p>“There is [Kylian] Mbappé in this moment, a type like him, but when [Marcus] is getting in that position, he’s great and you see he’s really improved also out of possession.”</p>



<h2>Erik ten Hag happy with Rashford’s bounce-back year</h2>



<p>Rashford is in the midst of a fairly successful campaign with the Red Devils and England. After a subpar 2021/22 season, the forward already has eight goals and three assists for United so far. He also added three goals in just five matches at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> as well.</p>



<p>Also, ten Hag essentially confirmed that Marcus Rashford will not depart the club this summer. The 25-year-old forward’s current base contract ends in June, but United does have a one-year option to extend the deal. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psg-tv-schedule/">Paris Saint-Germain</a> president Nasser al-Khelaifi <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/psg-targeting-marcus-rashford-on-a-free-transfer-20221209-WST-411756.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently claimed</a> that he was interesting in bringing Rashford to France.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ “He’s another player who’s amazing and for free? To have Rashford for free, every club will run after him.” <br><br>PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a big fan of Marcus Rashford. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/RGpobXido3">pic.twitter.com/RGpobXido3</a></p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1600883100472541184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Coach claims club option may already be picked up</h5>



<p>“[Marcus] has to make a decision,” the coach <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-confirms-marcus-rashford-is-staying-at-man-utd-and-is-one-of-best-strikers-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explained</a>. “The only thing we can do is show him this is the best club to be in, which has to do with the culture of the club and also in the way we are working, in the way we play and the way we train and if we are offering the right environment to progress.”</p>



<p>“It’s a financial issue as well. Then it is up to him to make the decision. But for one-and-a-half years, he will be here.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


ten Hag compares Rashford to Mbappe, confirms player's stay

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has compared Marcus Rashford to France star Kylian Mbappé, and confirmed the forward's future plans.

<p>As England sealed its position in the final 16 of this year’s World Cup by defeating Wales, certain positives reinvigorated fans’ optimism. The main talking points following the 3-0 victory which sent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/gareth-bale-lafc-goal-called-by-commentators-worldwide-20221109-WST-407525.html">LAFC forward Gareth Bale </a>and his countrymen home from Qatar, focused around the inclusion of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.</p>



<p>Those comments were certainly justified too. Both played only bits and parts in Gareth Southgate’s team over the first two games. Foden and Rashford both came on as a second-half substitutes in the 6-2 demolition of Iran. The Manchester United player made an immediate impact. He slotted home England’s fifth goal of the game. His reward was another 12 minutes as a sub in the 0-0 draw with the USA. Meanwhile, Foden stayed on the bench.</p>



<p>However, ahead of the clash against Wales they were both placed in the starting line up to devastating effect. Rashford netted twice, his goals coming sandwiched either side of Foden’s first World Cup goal for his country. Yes, England can defend well, as that stalemate with USA shows. But they showed, as top scorers so far, they’re a more effective team when they play on the front foot.</p>



<p>&nbsp;It is no surprise that both players made their mark. After all, their English Premier League performances this season have been impressive. Rashford looks like he’s back to his best, hitting nine goals for his club before heading to Qatar. As for Foden, he’s integral to Pep Guardiola’s plans. He appears to be a key cog in City’s bid to not only win the Premier League again, but find a first <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet/">UEFA Champions League</a> title.</p>



<h5>Senegal are no surprise package</h5>



<p>Both players will be key for Southgate as they look to progress beyond Senegal in the round of 16 on Sunday. The African nation are looking to make it to their third World Cup final visit one to remember and at least reach the quarter final for the second time in their history. Their manager, Aliou Cisse, seems to have rekindled the type of team spirit he felt back in 2002. Cisse’s impact on The Lions of Teranga in Japan and SouthKorea, helped them defeat then <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20220104-aliou-ciss%C3%A9-senegal-s-2002-world-cup-hero-under-great-pressure-to-lead-them-to-glory">World Cup holders France by a 1-0 margin</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ON THIS DAY: In 2002, Senegal beat defending champions France 1-0 in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup. <br><br>A huge shock on the opening night. <a href="https://t.co/kd17nHJbZb">pic.twitter.com/kd17nHJbZb</a></p>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1266987777679216640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2020</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>His team now has echoes of that team from 20 years ago. In Cisse’s defence there are who have the quality to stem the attacking tide that England possess. Chelsea centerback Kalidou Koulibaly starts alongside Abdou Diallo in the heart of the defense. Diallo is a player who has made sizable impact in the Bundesliga for Dortmund, French Champions Paris Saint Germain and recently, RB Leipzig. </p>



<p>Also, Senegal play a midfield with two players sitting deep when they are out of possession. Therefore, Southgate’s men will certainly have to work hard to progress past the Africans.</p>



<h2>The positives for England at World Cup 2022</h2>



<p>This is where the quick feet and vision of Rashford and Foden could be the key to unlocking a route to the quarter finals for England. Rashford’s abilities can be used in set piece situations, as he proved against Wales and Foden’s skill at finding space while being tightly marked may also need to be called upon. Leaving the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to be the ball winners and giving the ball to Rashford and Foden to either score, or assist the potentially match deciding goal.</p>



<p>The past results are good for the Three Lions. They’ve never lost to African opposition in the World Cup in seven previous encounters. Although, it’s not so simple. England only reached victory by more than one goal on one occasion. Three of those seven fixtures against African opponents ended in goalless draws. </p>



<p>Past history arguably tells us, while England is brimming with confidence, it still needs all the skill and guile from Rashford and Foden to stand any chance of overcoming their next obstacle on the road to victory at Qatar 2022.</p>


Concentrating on the positives for England at the World Cup

England may have found the winning formula that could win the World Cup with positives in the form of talented youngsters.

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ten Hag compares Rashford to Mbappe, confirms player's stay

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Concentrating on the positives for England at the World Cup