Erik ten Hag claims Marcus Rashford can score 40 goals for Man United next season

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told Marcus Rashford he can score 40 goals next season.

The England striker scored against Chelsea on Thursday to become the first United player to reach 30 in all competitions in a season since Robin van Persie did so in United’s final league season a decade ago.

The 25-year-old still has time to add to his tally against Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday in the final league game before the FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City next Saturday.

But the 25-year-old didn’t have time to dwell on his achievement before being set new goals.

While Erling Haaland’s record goalscoring exploits across Manchester to Champions City could surpass him, Ten Hag believes there is still room for Rashford to be even more prolific in front of goal.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag believes the England striker can score 40 goals next season

“I think so,” said the Dutchman. “There is a lot of room for improvement in his game.

“I am convinced that he can score even more. When you take, for example, the last ten games, he hasn’t scored many goals. I think only two or three, so yes he can improve.

“I’m happy with what he did last season so far that he’s coming back. We supported him where we could, with our way of playing but also in his state of mind.

“We’re happy with that, but we have to push him more. I think he’s capable of scoring 40 goals in a season. So for him, that’s the next step.

Despite scoring four goals against a porous Chelsea on Thursday, United are the worst scorers in the top six with just 56 in 37 games.

Ten Hag clearly believes the current squad have the ability to add more goals, although they weren’t helped by the mid-season loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, injury to Anthony Martial and suspension of Mason Greenwood for rape and assault allegations which have now been dropped.

And while Rashford’s goalscoring exploits have taken some of the pressure off, bringing in a striker this summer is likely to be a priority, with United linked with everyone from Tottenham’s Harry Kane to Brighton wonderkid Evan Ferguson.

“Across the team, we need more scoring abilities.” added Ten Hag. ‘You can’t depend on just one. But it can also come from this team.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson are among the strikers linked with the club

With a place in the top four and a return to the Champions League now assured, having lifted the Carabao Cup – their first trophy in six seasons, Ten Hag may have already turned his attention to Wembley.

There’s no doubt ending City’s treble offer would be a huge feather in Ten Hag’s cap, his focus remains firmly on his long-term vision rather than the here and now.

Asked if the final was a free-kick or an opportunity to make a statement for next season, he added: “Both no, but when I was here a year ago I said that we wanted to win trophies.” We won one so we want to aim for the highest.

“It’s a long road and it’s going to be a project. It’s not more than a year. We are talking about two or three years. But when there’s an opportunity to win a trophy, for every player, that’s huge.

“I have to count, but there aren’t many players in our team who have won the FA Cup. An FA Cup is huge. For everyone in the world there is a Champions League, there are so many titles, but when the FA Cup is all over the world, it is on a global scale, a huge reputation. I know from the Netherlands how important the FA Cup is.

“So we have an opportunity to win it. We are also realistic that it is not going to be easy. But I can assure you of one thing that we will give everything in our power to win the cup.