Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said he sees similarities between striker Marcus Rashford and French superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Ten Hag said: “From the first moment, I recognized huge potential.
“When Marcus’ positioning is at the back of the defensive line, there is almost no better player in the world. There is [only] Mbappe right now.”
Rashford will now return to the Premier League for United, with competition resuming on December 26 after the World Cup break.
Rashford struggled last season – failing to make an impact after missing the start of the campaign following shoulder surgery.
He has scored just four goals in 25 Premier League appearances – the first time he hasn’t reached double figures since 2017-18 – and lost his place in the national team.
But Rashford has repaid the confidence shown in him this season by Dutch manager Ten Hag in his first season in charge of United, scoring eight goals in 19 games in all competitions.
With four league goals, the 25-year-old has already equaled his tally in 2021-22.
As well as the threat he poses playing on the last line of defence, Ten Hag believes Rashford is also developing his game out of possession, including the high press, something he was criticized for during Ralf’s doom. Rangnick as interim boss last season. .
The United manager quoted Phil Foden’s goal against Wales as an example of the work Rashford is doing for England.
“I see him doing this all the time,” Ten Hag said. “He did a very good job there for England.”
The striker’s current contract expires at the end of the season, as do the other senior players, goalkeeper David de Gea, full-backs Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw and midfielder Fred.
Ten Hag says United are keeping the situation under control because “we have options” to extend those contracts for a further season and “we will exercise those options”.
However, there has been repeated suggestions of an important offer for Rashford from Paris St-Germain – the player’s representatives met with the French side in August – and Ten Hag says that even if he wants the striker to stay, the matter is not in his hands.
“He has to make a decision,” he said. “The only thing we can do is show him that this is the best club to be at, which has to do with the culture of the club and also with the way we work, play and train. and if we provide the right environment to progress.
“It’s also a financial question. Then it’s up to him to make the decision. But for a year and a half he will be there.”
