Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford has had to endure “too much negativity” recently and he was hoping the goals would flow like ketchup from a bottle after the striker scored in the win over Southampton.

The England striker scored his second goal for his side in Saturday’s 3-0 win over St Mary’s.

It was his first goal in a competitive match since March, when he scored in the 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Rashford, 26, was criticised for his performance during the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League just before the international break, which Ten Hag felt was unfair.

“It’s very important that we don’t listen to what the outside world says, but there was too much negativity about him,” said the Manchester United manager.

“He created two big chances in that game (the defeat to Liverpool), in other games this season he played very well.

“He deserved that goal (against Southampton) but he had to work for it. That’s what he does and then you get rewarded.”

Rashford has been at Manchester United for almost ten years and has scored 132 goals for the club.

Ten Hag expects the 26-year-old to score many more goals for his boyhood club, basing his statement on a comparison once used by Cristiano Ronaldo., external

“If a striker ever talked about a ketchup bottle, it’s happening more and more often,” the Dutchman added.

“He has scored so many goals for Manchester United. At his age, the number of goals is amazing and I am sure he will score many more goals.”