Gary Neville has hailed ‘sensational’ Marcus Rashford but says another Manchester United player has been as good as the England forward since the World Cup.
Rashford, 25, is enjoying his best-ever season at Old Trafford, scoring 27 goals in 41 matches in all competitions.
The United academy graduate has been particularly prolific since the season resumed after the World Cup, netting 16 goals in 17 games – the most of any player in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Rashford’s superb form has helped Manchester United climb to third in the Premier League – five points behind leaders Arsenal – and reach the EFL Cup final.
Old Trafford legend Neville says United ‘can’t do without’ Rashford given his strike-rake in front of goal but believes Luke Shaw has been equally ‘brilliant’ since the World Cup.
Shaw has starred as a left-back and centre-back over the last two months, with Neville insisting the 27-year-old does not get the credit he deserves.
‘Marcus Rashford’s form since the World Cup has been great,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. ‘But I also want to put Luke Shaw in that category, he’s come back from the World Cup in brilliant form too.
Luke Shaw has impressed at left-back and centre-back this season (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s absolutely outstanding, but he’s not scoring goals and as a full-back you just don’t get the credit, I’m sorry, you don’t! But I have to keep mentioning full-backs and Shaw because he’s been brilliant.’
On Rashford, Neville added: ‘He’s been sensational. On the left or in the centre, it doesn’t matter where he plays. He looks like he’s got defenders right where he wants them.
‘He’s got those pictures in his mind when he gets into the final third of exactly what he’s going to do. I always thought Thierry Henry was the very best at that, you knew when he went into that left channel, you just knew.
‘I think Mohamed Salah does it from the right, where he cuts in and bends it into that far corner. Thierry Henry was brilliant at working that left channel, whether it be wide or in the inside position. I had to contend with it at times.
‘He’s in sensational form Marcus Rashford, they can’t do without him at this moment and that’s why he plays nearly every match.’
Manchester United’s impressive form continued on Sunday as Erik ten Hag’s side beat Leicester City 3-0 at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils now face two huge games in the space of four days – first a Europa League decider against Barcelona and then the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United.
Ten Hag admits ‘rubbish’ performance after Man Utd smash Leicester 3-0Video Player is loading.Loaded: 4.00%0:00Current Time 0:00/Duration 6:44
Source: metro.co.uk
