KEY POINTS

  • Marcus Rashford has played 17 games for Man Utd this season
  • He has netted seven goals and assisted 3
  • Man Utd's next game is also against Aston Villa in the League Cup

Erik ten Hag has revealed the position that is best suited to Marcus Rashford in Manchester United's current line-up.

Ten Hag went with a 4-2-3-1 formation in Manchester United's 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday. Rashford, who featured in the starting XI, was on the ring wing, with Donny van de Beek in the center and Alejandro Garnacho on the left wing.

In the post-match conference, when reporters asked Ten Hag if the right wing would be Rashford's new position from here on, the Dutch boss denied it.

''He can play there, as he can stretch across all the three positions, and he can score goals in each [of them]. 'The best position for [Marcus] Rashford is the number nine or coming in from the left. 'In the front line, we have our problems and, in this game, it was the best balance," Ten Hag told reporters after his side's loss.

Rashford recently netted his 100th goal for his boyhood club in their 1-0 win over West Ham in the 2022-23 Premier League. Playing in 17 games this season for Manchester United, in all competitions, the young Englishman has been involved in 10 goals: 3 assists and 7 goals.

Marcus Rashford (left) scored his first goal since January to earn Manchester United a 2-1 win over Liverpool

Aston Villa, who had not defeated Manchester United at home in the league since 1995, took little time to be in the lead Sunday. The strikes from Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne, inside the first 11 minutes, put the hosts 2-0 up. While an own goal from Jacob Ramsey gave some hope to the Red Devils, the 21-year-old midfielder made up for his blunder soon into the second half with his 49th-minute strike.

From there on, Ten Hag and Co did not find a way back into the game and suffered their first league loss since Oct. 2.

"We lost the game at the start of the first half and second half and that is not acceptable. They looked more fresh and more ready. We need to be more sharp. The result is really clear. It never lies. Today we were not good enough. It was collectively a bad performance. We created chances and good chances at 2-1. But you are really disappointed to concede at the start of the second half," Ten Hag said after the game at Villa Park.

With 23 points, Manchester United are currently placed fifth in the 2022-23 Premier League table. The two sides are scheduled to lock horns again later this week in the League Cup. Manchester United are going to host Aston Villa on Thursday (Nov. 19) at Old Trafford.

Soccer