Erik ten Hag wants to make Manchester United the best team in the world, with Marcus Rashford spearheading that transformation.
The Dutch coach has answered questions about Paris St-Germain’s interest in England striker Rashford.
United have triggered Rashford’s contract extension, which will not expire again until 2024.
“I would say this is the best place [for him] be because we want to build the best team,” said Ten Hag.
“First in England, then in Europe, then in the world.”
Rashford has scored nine goals in nine games since returning from the World Cup in Qatar.
With 17 goals already this season, the 25-year-old has scored more than Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial – United’s next top scorers – combined.
“I think he understands that Manchester United is his club but also, in that environment, he plays his best football,” added Ten Hag.
“This team can help him get in the right position and score goals, which is what he’s good at.
“He’s important to us and if we’re going to get the success we want, we need him.”
United travel to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
It’s a chance for United to bounce back from their last-minute loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, the second league game in a row in which they have dropped points after conceding late.
The club have not won a trophy since 2017 and if they fail to end that run this season it will be their longest spell without silverware since the nine-year gap between their European Cup triumph 1968 and the 1977 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup. .
Ahead of his side’s first visit to the City Ground since their 8-1 triumph in 1999, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came off the bench to score four times, Ten Hag also defended £82million Brazilian winger Antony of pounds sterling.
The 22-year-old hasn’t had much of an impact since scoring on his debut against Arsenal on September 4 and at Crystal Palace last week he traded insults with Fernandes after the midfielder Portuguese complained about a pass that went for a goal. kick.
“He doesn’t lose games,” Ten Hag said. “He plays and the team wins and that already sends a message about his performance.
“He can do better. We want him to be more direct. But the team performs better if he’s on the pitch and that’s a good thing.”
