Ian Wright gives huge credit to Benni McCarthy for Marcus Rashford transformation

Ian Wright has credited Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy for playing a key role in Marcus Rashford's improved form after the striker scored his 21st goal of the season.

United secured all three points against Leeds on Sunday as goals from Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho helped keep Erik ten Hag's side in the Premier League title race.

The Reds were nowhere near their best at Elland Road but their number 10 proved to be the difference maker again for United, who went 1-0 up in the 80th minute thanks to his towering header.

Rashford has now scored more headed goals in the Premier League this season than any other during his United career, and many are putting it down to the coaching expertise of Benni McCarthy.

McCarthy, who was brought into the club last summer by Ten Hag, is part of the technical team at Old Trafford.

He constructs training sessions with the coaching staff at United and often coordinates movement and finishing drills to make sure that the likes of Rashford are sharp in front of goal.

The 44-year-old certainly has the credentials to be a top flight coach. As well as making over 100 appearances for Blackburn during a memorable four-year spell in England, he managed Cape Town City and Amazulu in South Africa's top division.

He was also offered the South Africa national team job last year but turned it down.

Back in November, Rashford credited the former South Africa international for playing a part in his impressive start to the 2022/23 campaign.

"He’s definitely helped me a lot," Rashford said of his relationship with the former FC Porto forward. "To have them attack-minded coaches is good for us in the squad, he’s always there speaking to us about these things."

And on Sunday's episode of Match of the Day 2, former Arsenal striker turned pundit Ian Wright praised McCarthy for his work on the training pitch and beyond.

“I think the acquisition of Benni McCarthy, a striker coach, has helped him," Wright said on Match of the Day 2 while discussing Rashford's form.

“When you look at the movement for that goal - like Harry Maguire talking about how his heading has improved - it was brilliant. And that says to me that someone like Benni McCarthy’s working very closely with him. He’s improved no end.”

Thoughts on McCarthy's impact at Old Trafford?

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