Erik ten Hag is keen to keep the revitalized Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are determined to keep Marcus Rashford after the England forward’s strong start to the season.

Rashford has started all six of Manchester United’s games so far but could be rested for the Europa League tie against Real Sociedad on Thursday, meaning a likely return for Cristiano Ronaldo to the starting XI.

Rashford netted a brace against Arsenal on Sunday, teaming up with new United signing Antony, and contributed to an impressive 3-1 win over the Premier League leaders.

The 24-year-old also scored in United’s win over arch-rivals Liverpool and was finally back to form.

The Englishman has struggled for the past two campaigns and was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year before reminding United of their worth with his recent achievement.

He is out of contract at the end of this season and United manager Ten Hag has no intention of letting him go.

United retain the option of a further year’s extension and, when asked if the club would speak to Rashford about it, Ten Hag replied: « Certainly. I think United have the situation under control.

“I see a happy Marcus Rashford and I see certain phases in his game that we could improve and we have worked very hard the last two and a half months with him on different aspects.

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“He really likes it and wants to transfer it to the pitch and that’s what you see in this moment. It all started with happiness. He comes every day, he likes it, he is really smiling, with a really positive atmosphere.

« If you put all these things together, like the way of playing, you want to transfer different aspects of your game and are happy, you will have more contribution to the team, the performance and the result. »

If Rashford is rested for the Europa League game at Old Trafford, Ronaldo could get just his second start this season, with Anthony Martial still sidelined with an Achilles heel injury.

The Portuguese striker only started in the humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League in August.

 » He [Ronaldo] started against Brentford. Then not since, but he’s ready to start,” Ten Hag said.

« We don’t just have a team, we have a squad, that’s for sure, that’s the mentality that Manchester United need.

« Maybe I can’t make them all happy in every game, but everyone has their playing time if they’re performing, [it is] it’s very clear. »

Ten Hag’s rotation policy will likely see midfielders Casemiro, a £60million signing from Real Madrid, Fred, club captain Harry Maguire as well as fellow defenders Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Donny van de Beek were absent from training at Carrington on Wednesday.