DANNY MURPHY: Only Erik ten Hag can make Marcus Rashford see the light
I had positive role models at Liverpool like Gary McAllister and Sami Hyypia but the greatest influencer by far was the manager, Gerard Houllier.
He could annihilate you and make you feel a million dollars on the same day. I know Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher credit him for their successful careers, as I do.
It feels like Marcus Rashford and Manchester United could do with someone like Houllier at the moment.
A lack of dressing room leaders has been blamed for the long decline at Old Trafford but nobody can say Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans aren’t excellent professionals.
Getting the best out of players requires a manager imposing discipline but also having a softer side.
Players need to know that there are consequences for poor performances or bad attitudes.
Sometimes younger players don’t want to listen to anyone so the manager has to make them feel it.
It happened to me when Houllier bombed me out back on loan to Crewe because I thought I was God’s gift signing for Liverpool.
I know he took Stevie and his parents to dinner and warned them he wouldn’t make it at the club without becoming more professional. It bucked him up fast.
But there has to be a carrot as well as a stick. Players respond to managers who show a genuine interest in their welfare.
At United, Rashford has to feel engaged with his manager. He has to believe despite any criticism, the manager has his players’ backs. Otherwise there is a problem.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are masters at it. You can see them chatting to and embracing their players with real warmth. At the same time, you know not to mess with them. It’s a difficult balancing act but possible.
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