Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has once again praised the impact of Benni McCarthy at Old Trafford but also insisted the club’s success in 2022/23 is because of the whole technical team and not just one coach.
McCarthy has received a lot of laurels after, in particular, Rashford has improved immensely this campaign, netting an incredible 27 goals already.
In 2021/22, he finished with just five strikes and many have credited McCarthy with the improvement of the England forward.
While Ten Hag echoed the sentiment over the former AmaZulu and Cape Town City coach, he also insisted that McCarthy is not the only on the technical team improving the players.
“I thought we needed one on the staff who is specific and responsible for strikers, Benni is doing a good job,” he said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“I think the staff has a good balance and we do it together, 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.”
Ten Hag went on to explain why he thinks Rashford is thriving in 2022/23.
“I think the most important is the way of playing, that gives him 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,” he added.
“He progressed during the season, he was also not in the best shape when he started the season.
“The way of playing gives him a base and then he brings his skillset, he brings his attitude, his mentality, I see that is bringing him a lot of progress and it gives the team a lot joy, Marcus a lot of goals and us a lot of wins.”
United return to action on Sunday when they will host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-final.
