Graeme Souness tells Erik ten Hag he can’t trust two Manchester United players

Graeme Souness has told Erik ten Hag he can’t rely on Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

After a poor start to the season, United are beginning to impress under Ten Hag, winning 11 of their last 14 games in all competitions.

The Red Devils moved to within one point of fourth-placed Tottenham with their recent win over Nottingham Forest and could put more pressure on their top-rivals on New Year’s Eve when they travel to Wolves.

Souness has praised Ten Hag for ‘getting more out’ of the Manchester United squad than previous Old Trafford managers but says the Cristiano Ronaldo saga could have been handled ‘better’.

Liverpool legend Souness believes Ronaldo’s exit leaves United short up front and has wished Ten Hag ‘luck’ if he is going to rely on Rashford and Martial for the rest of the season.

‘I expressed reservations about Erik ten Hag in August. Since then, he has got more out of those players than the previous manager,’ Souness told the Daily Mail.

‘I still think the Cristiano Ronaldo situation could have been handled better, benefiting the player and manager. He scored 18 league goals last season and, when I look at their squad now, I don’t see goals.

‘Marcus Rashford is their top scorer with five and is playing well. But he had a sabbatical for two years. Only he could tell you why.

‘The worry for Manchester United is that it could happen again. If he’s the one you’re relying on to get you goals, that feels like a wing and a prayer to me.

‘And if Ten Hag is also still relying on Anthony Martial to stand up and be counted, then good luck with that.

‘Three years ago, I said he was in a last-chance saloon to prove he is a United player. He is talented, but an enormous question mark remains.’

Rashford impressed before the World Cup break, scoring 10 goals in all competitions. Martial struggled to stay fit but also contributed a few goals, netting three times in six Premier League games.

Manchester United will look to maintain their momentum on New Year’s Eve against a Wolves side who remain in the relegation zone despite their recent win over Everton.

MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo announces transfer move and signs £350m deal

MORE : Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia opens up on being dropped by Erik ten Hag

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