Manchester United wrote and followed the perfect script when getting down to business for the first time under Erik ten Hag and did so without headline act, Cristiano Ronaldo, in his ongoing absence from the touring party.
Given his immense stature, Ronaldo was always going to take centre stage even when he opted against flying out to Bangkok with his teammates. But for 90 minutes at least against Liverpool, the saga was forgotten and United provided a glimpse of what life after Ronaldo (part two) might look like.
Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri grabbed the goals against Jurgen Klopp's side in Thailand and you would be hard-pressed to settle on which of those four players most needed that confidence booster. A few more, including Marcus Rashford, would have also snapped your hand off to have found the net themselves.
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However, while the discarded England player did not particularly stand-out in that opener, there are early signs he will overcome a challenge mapped out for him by new United assistant coach Steve McClaren. Rashford hinted at that himself during an outing in front of the world's media after touching down in Melbourne.
"I'm in a good place right now," Rashford said. "It has been a bit unnatural for me to have such a long break over the summer; I think I had just under four weeks, so I had a long break physically and mentally."
Rashford has been able to press reset for Ten Hag and, as per previous comments from McClaren before his return to Old Trafford, that was long overdue. Speaking back in January, McClaren said: "Body language is so important and Rashford has probably had this [concern] throughout his career in terms of questioning his attitude.
"He gets deterred too easily and doesn't fight through the bad moments. Somebody needs to give him the tools to come out of the bad times, because he doesn't know how and stays in them."
Rashford did not find the net against Liverpool and it was Sancho and Martial who took advantage to get their tallies up and running for the season. However, judging by social media clips from pre-season training and those comments he made in the press conference, McClaren has seemingly struck a chord somewhere with the Wythenshawe-born academy graduate.
Rashford now appears at ease with himself and his game, once again, and that will come as welcome news to Ten Hag, supporters and the England setup, too. Similarly to Ronaldo, his future was debated earlier this summer, but the next target is much clearer for Rashford.
A notable change to his body language is indicative of the general improved mood in the United camp. That is partly down to Ten Hag and McClaren, while a morale-boosting summer win over Liverpool can only have helped.
Rashford must overcome further hurdles to recapture his best form and win back a place in the England squad. In a World Cup year he has no greater motive, while a shake-up to his mindset at United has provided a strong platform for him to do that — and that is all down to the United coaches, McClaren included.
His reintroduction at Carrington might have caused a little tension following those comments he made on Rashford. Ultimately, though, some home truths appear to be all that was needed to revive Rashford, who deserves credit for reacting to that bombshell in the most professional way he could.
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