Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard handed Man Utd lifelines with new boss Erik ten Hag prepared to give both a chance
MARCUS RASHFORD and Jesse Lingard have been given lifelines by new Manchester United chief Erik ten Hag.
Struggling Rashford, 24, is being assured he will get a chance to perform under Ten Hag next season — and that will boost his England World Cup hopes.
While United team-mate Lingard could perform a U-turn and stay at the club if the new Old Trafford boss convinces him he is part of his plans under the Dutchman’s fresh regime.
Rashford lost his Three Lions place this season, having endured a difficult campaign — so far scoring just five goals in 32 appearances.
And with interim manager Ralf Rangnick favouring Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, Rashford became concerned his hopes of playing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup were fading.
But it has been made clear to Rashford that he will be given every chance to show off his skills once Ten Hag takes up the reins following his arrival from Ajax this summer.
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A source said: “Marcus is concentrating on United and the new manager is concentrating on Ajax for the time being.
“But both camps have spoken and Marcus is aware of what the new manager wants and expects.
“This season has been difficult but he’s never wanted to leave Old Trafford.
“He’s optimistic about his chances under Ten Hag and knows that if he plays well for United, he will be in the thoughts of Gareth Southgate.
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“He knows Ten Hag will give him a chance if he performs in training, so he’s feeling confident and can’t wait for a new start.”
Southgate overlooked Rashford for England’s Wembley friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast in March.
The Three Lions chief explained he had other players in his position in better form.
But Southgate left the door open and said he planned to meet the forward, who has 12 goals in 46 internationals.
Rashford has made just eight appearances for the Three Lions since November 2019, totalling 320 minutes.
He was one of three England players — along with Bukayo Saka and Sancho — to miss a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout loss to Italy.
Rashford was the target of vile racist abuse after the spot-kick, while his vandalised mural in Manchester was then adorned with messages of support.
Meanwhile, goalscoring midfielder Lingard is also hoping for a clean slate under Ten Hag.
Lingard barely featured under Rangnick after falling out of favour while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
He went out on loan to West Ham where he scored nine goals and bagged five assists in just 16 appearances for the Hammers.
But since returning to United he has barely featured and was expected to leave in the summer on a free transfer.
But SunSport understands that the 29-year-old England ace is now waiting for a call from the new Dutch boss to discuss staying at the club he has been at since he was seven.
A source said: “Jesse hasn’t been happy this season.
“He feels let down that he hasn’t played as much as he wanted and feels promises made to him when he came back from West Ham haven’t been kept.
“He was resigned to the idea that he was going to leave and make a fresh start at another club.
“But Ten Hag has let it be known he wants to speak with him and if he gives him the assurances he needs, Jesse could be persuaded to stay.
“United is his club and he’s never wanted to leave.”
If Lingard does decide to move on from Old Trafford, Newcastle is understood to be his favoured destination.
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That is despite interest from David Moyes and West Ham.
The source added: “Jesse likes the look of Eddie Howe and a move to Newcastle would give him the chance to stay closer to his family in the North West, which is important to him.”