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Man Utd star Marcus Rashford lifts lid on Benni McCarthy relationship and private chat
Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has been working closely with Marcus Rashford.
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Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has opened up on his working relationship with the club’s forwards coach Benni McCarthy, who has been credited with playing a key role in the England forward’s resurgence over the past year at Old Trafford. McCarthy joined the club as part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom team, working closely with the group of forwards at United's disposal.
McCarthy spent five years in the Premier League as a striker for Blackburn and West Ham, as the South African has put his knowledge to good use by mentoring Rashford and helping the 25-year-old reach new heights. Under McCarthy’s tutelage, Rashford scored a personal record 30 goals last season, taking on a talismanic role at the club.
In conversation with United icon Gary Neville, Rashford explained that McCarthy’s experience as a striker in the league has helped him improve his runs into the box. His turnaround has earned the star man a bumper new contract, but revealed what are the next improvements to his game - with help from his coach.
"It's mostly about getting into the right areas because my forwards coach, was a forward, so he always gives me information on how to cut at the near post or on the shoulder of defenders and things like that,” Rashford told The Overlap.
"It's good for me to know that because even when I'm wide, it helps me understand what my forward would be thinking and where I need to deliver the ball or try and get assists from that aspect, and if I'm in the box, I know where I need to be.
"I think there's always elements I can add to my game and it's important to work on your strengths. You want to get your weaknesses as good as they can get, but they are more often than not always going to be a little bit behind your strengths.
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"Mine [weaknesses] are my left foot and heading - I always want to work on them. My heading is getting better, but I feel like I should score more because I outjump most people.
"If I'm in the position in the right areas in the box, I should be getting seven to ten headed goals a season – I feel like I can do that, and I'll be pushing to do that next year.”
McCarthy has previously insisted that Rashford’s turnaround is down to the player and entire coaching staff as opposed to solely his work, but it is clear that the 45-year-old is having a big effect on the squad and will soon get to work with another talented starlet in Rasmus Hojlund - who is set to be unveiled as a new United signing on Saturday.