London: Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is showing maturity beyond his years and can be a ‘top-class’ player in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels.
Rashford scored in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Brighton and Hove Albion to take his overall tally to 41 goals in 150 appearances since making his debut in 2016. Rooney, the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals, had scored 59 in his first 150 appearances, while Ronaldo had scored 31, and Solskjaer said Rashford was playing at a similar level to the duo at the same stage in their careers.
“Definitely, he can be absolutely top-class,” Solskjaer told reporters when the comparisons were suggested to him. “He is only 21 but the maturity he is showing at times is more than 21. The more you score the more chance you have of being confident, running into the same positions. The way he works during the week is fantastic because he practises a lot. You can’t kick him and keep him down. It is a pleasure working with him.”
Club’s senior player Ashley Young also believes the England international is getting better by working with Solskjaer.
“It’s not a bad person to learn off, is it?” said Young of the former United striker who took over from Jose Mourinho after the latter was sacked.
“I think he’s learning each day and obviously the manager will guide him in the way he does. Marcus just wants to learn. I’ve said it from the time he broke into the team and even before then, he can be an unbelievable talent, he’s got the world ahead of him.
The Red Devils take on Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round match Friday before returning to league action against Burnley January 29.