McCarthy helped Rashford record a career-best 30-goal last season as Ten Hag enjoyed a successful first year in Manchester.
During the summer, Rashford hailed the 45-year-old for his support, confirming they were working closely together to harvest his best form.
“I think he’s done a good job. It’s always good for us to have a particular coach that concentrates on us as a forwards group,” Rashford told SuperSport.
“We’ve worked more as a team going forward, which has led us to creating more chances and scoring more goals.
“So, it’s still early days, and Benni will tell you himself his aspirations are much bigger than what we’ve done so far. He keeps on pushing us, keeps to try and get us to improve.
“Benni has been great with me, like I said before, with all the forward lads. And you have to remember that Benni is part of a full coaching system, so everyone plays their roles… so Benni is actually on top of what we need.
“Yes, his relationship with me is very good. We speak a lot. We’re always analysing games and showing me ways to improve.
“You know, small things that can help me make more chances, more goals, maybe create space for other players as well. We are doing a lot of work.”
However, Rashford has returned for Ten Hag’s second season after penning a new contract worth £400,000 a week, looking like a different player… and not for the better.
The United No 10, who turns 26 this month, has scored just one goal so far this term, the opener in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
And Rashford’s decision-making, in particular, has been a prominent source of frustration among supporters.
He provided the latest example of his shot confidence in Tuesday’s defeat to Galatasaray at Old Trafford while the scores were level at 1-1.
Rashford was set free down the right and had all the time in the world to produce his trademark low strike across goal – a regular occurrence last season – but he fluffed his lines.
Rather than shooting, as any top-class forward on a bumper salary should, Rashford looked up and attempted to square the ball to Bruno Fernandes.
The pass was poor and was intercepted by the visitors’ scrambling defenders, much to the dismay of fans watching and Ten Hag.
United’s left-back crisis has undoubtedly directly impacted Rashford. Makeshift stand-in Sofyan Amrabat isn’t making the darting overlaps that Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon and Tyrell Malacia thrive at.
Rashford, meanwhile, looks to be overthinking when he’s on the ball, as if he feels pressured to pass rather than shoot. And that’s an issue McCarthy desperately needs to help him shake off.
Rashford has shown bright sparks in his new link-up with Rasmus Hojlund, including his sensational assist to open the scoring in midweek.
He’s a goalscorer, though. And McCarthy, Ten Hag, and his teammates need to remind him of that.
