Marcus Rashford has admitted he considered leaving Manchester United before Erik ten Hag’s arrival last summer.
United had struggled the previous campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. Rashford was also left out of the Manchester derby by the latter in favour of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as false nines.
Ten Hag has rejuvenated United, leading them to a place in the Champions League, victory in the EFL Cup final and a place in the FA Cup final. This has also led to Rashford renewing his contract this summer, signing a deal until 2028.
Rashford would have been able to leave for free in the summer of 2024 if he had not penned an extension.
The likes of Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing him if he decided to leave Old Trafford.
And the 25-year-old has now suggested Ten Hag’s arrival changed his outlook.
Asked whether there was a point last summer when he thought he might have to leave, Rashford said: “Before the manager came maybe a little bit, but it’s football, it happens.
“Everything is going to happen for a reason and he came to the club at the right time for me, the timing worked out.”
The England international also suggested Ten Hag’s ambition had appealed to him.
He said: “Now the conversation is a little bit different because I think it’s clear, the manager is very ambitious and he has been since the minute he stepped in. I didn’t really have doubt in my mind about that.
“I’m hungry to keep improving and when the squad and the players and the staff keep improving and getting used to each other, pushing ourselves to be better than we were the year before. Ultimately that’s the only way we’re going to get back to winning trophies consistently.”
United kick their season off against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14.
(Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images)