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Erik ten Hag acknowledged Manchester United are too reliant on Marcus Rashford after the forward’s latest goal guided the Red Devils to a 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.
United ended a three-game run without a win – or a goal – in the Premier League as Rashford’s close-range finish was enough to down the resolute Bees.
Rashford has scored 15 of United’s 42 Premier League goals this season, while his total of 11 strikes since the World Cup is more than any other player in the competition.
Asked whether United have been over-reliant on Rashford this season, Ten Hag told BBC Sport: “Yes, it’s the truth.
“But we know other players can score as well. Bruno [Fernandes] can score as well. We have many more players across the squad who can score.”
Speaking to United’s media channels, Ten Hag said of Rashford: “He played a very good game. I think he was very versatile. He came out of the frontline and we used him as the target, but he also went out wide.
“You can talk almost every game about [him] and when he’s not in the game like Sunday [against Newcastle United], it’s not good for us.
“We have to bring him into the game but also he has to take responsibility, and [so do] other players.
“He has to be ready to get into those positions and therefore he needs energy, he needs focus, and he has to bring it every game. Today, a great finish again gives us the three points.”
Rashford has now scored 10 winning goals in the Premier League this season, the most recorded by a United player in a single campaign since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10 (also 10).
The England forward has 28 goals across all competitions this term, a tally only bettered by Erling Haaland (42) and Kylian Mbappe (31) among players from Europe’s top five leagues.
