Rashford responds to plans that Ten Hag could change his role at Man Utd

Marcus Rashford has begun bulking up as he prepares for the first pre-season at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

The forward struggled massively last season, making just 13 starts in the Premier League as he recovered from injury and then failed to rediscover his best form. Rashford's demeanour was regularly highlighted as the 24-year-old looked a shadow of his former self.

Ten Hag is now the man who needs to get the academy graduate firing again. The MEN has reported that Rashford's future role at the club may depend on whether or not they sign a central striker as they consider the Englishman for that position going forward.

A pre-season tour is upcoming with friendlies to take place against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. That could be Rashford's chance to prove his worth as a No 9 - a role he is played on occasion throughout his time at Old Trafford.

The United man has posted a video on social media of himself working out in a gym. He wrote the caption: "3 sessions in and feeling good after an amazing break with amazing people." Ten Hag is facing a striker exodus with Anthony Martial tipped to follow Edinson Cavani out the exit door.

Sources claimed earlier this season that Rashford was considering his future at Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick left the forward on the bench for the Manchester derby and opted to start without a recognised striker, instead playing Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as false 9s.

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Gary Neville said on commentary: "That's got to be the ultimate put down for Marcus Rashford today. With four other centre forwards he started the season with not here and he still can't get into the side." The forward would appear in the second-half, with the Sky Sports pundit then saying: "I thought they were even worse when Rashford and Lingard came on. I thought they were terrible."

Despite that the former United man does believe a future exists for the 24-year-old under the new Dutch manager. He claimed: "I think Ten Hag will look at Rashford and think he's a project I can work with. I think Ten Hag will look at him and think he's quick, he runs, if I can give him some coaching I think I can work with him."

Rashford's best goalscoring season came back in 2019/20 when he notched 22 times for the Red Devils.