Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that signing Marcus Rashford to a new long-term contract is "a priority" for the 20-time English champions.

The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for the Red Devils during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 24 goals and registering eight assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Rashford hit a brace in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Leicester City, taking him onto 14 league goals for the campaign, while he has also managed 10 in the Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.

Speaking ahead of the contest with the Foxes, Ten Hag confirmed that the Red Devils were "working on" a new deal for Rashford, with the Dutchman insisting that his side have to keep hold of the in-form attacker.

"Of course [Rashford's new contract] is a priority," Ten Hag told Sky Sports News. "We are working on that, just sit and wait, but in the background we work hard. Of course [we have to keep him].

"I think the team is in a good place and Marcus is definitely in a good place. We are happy with his performances. He is in such good form. You can keep that if you keep the right energy and put the right investment in.

"Every game you have to take it as a new game. And you know at the moment that when Marcus comes into the position that he will score.

"When he is happy it gives him energy and a positive mood and then the goals will come. He has such great skills to score goals.

"I don't know [if he wasn't happy last season]. On the first day I met him, I told him 'I want to see your smile, I want to see your teeth and then it is OK'. We see it often and I think he is in a happy place and the whole dressing room is in a happy place and I think it is good."

Rashford only scored five goals in all competitions for the Red Devils during the 2021-22 campaign, which led to suggestions that he could leave during the summer market.

Paris Saint-Germain are believed to have made an attempt to sign the forward last summer, but Man United signalled that they were not prepared to sell under any circumstances.

"Initially, I was going to pass it as Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] made a good run but the defender was on the inside of him, so I thought shooting across the goal would be the best option," Rashford told Sky Sports News when questioned on his first goal against Leicester on Sunday.

"There was a bit of relief about the first goal as David [De Gea] made an important save at 0-0. They are important moments. Without having someone like him in the net, we can't go on and win the game."

Man United are not back in Premier League action until March 5 against Liverpool, as they prepare to face Barcelona, Newcastle United and West Ham United in the Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup respectively. body check tags ::