Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that he told Marcus Rashford that he wanted to see the striker "smiling more" after he arrived at the club in the summer.
Rashford had become a peripheral figure at Old Trafford prior to Ten Hag's arrival following a lacklustre Premier League campaign last year. The 24-year-old, who missed the start of the season due to shoulder surgery, netted just five goals in all competitions last season.
There was even speculation during the summer that the United academy graduate could quit the club in a bid to kickstart his career - but Rashford is now thriving as Ten Hag's main man.
Rashford has been reinvigorated since being nudged into his preferred No.9 role and has already notched up three goals and two assists in six games for the Red Devils, who head into Sunday's match off the back of four consecutive league wins.
And Ten Hag has lifted the lid on the initial discussion he had with the England star following his arrival from Ajax in the summer in the wake of Rashford's struggles last season.
"From day one I was so excited to work with him," Ten Hag told Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester derby. "I saw his status and I knew already the impact he could have and his potential. Now he’s bringing that potential to the pitch so I’m really happy with his development.
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"I told him on day one, I want to see you smiling every day. We said that we would prepare the training sessions and then it’s up to you to love the training and give your best because when you feel pressure in training and enjoy it you will give your best.
"If you give your best you will improve and you will perform on the pitch. Then life is easy and your performance will go up."
Rashford's recent form saw him land the Premier League's player of the month award for September on Friday. And he hailed the impact that Ten Hag has already made at the club after accepting the award.
"It's a good feeling," Rashford said on the eve of the Manchester derby. "We didn't start the season so strongly so to get four wins on the bounce is really good.
"It's still fairly new with the manager and we've got much better at doing the things he wants us to. But there are still a lot of steps to take and we're all looking forward to doing that together."
