Rio Ferdinand heaps praise on Manchester United match winner Marcus Rashford

‘I think this kid could be world class’: Rio Ferdinand heaps praise on Manchester United match winner Marcus Rashford and says hero in PSG win could go up another level if he adds a ‘poacher’s element’ to his game

  • Another strike in Paris from Marcus Rashford saw Manchester United beat PSG 
  • The United forward fired beyond Keylor Navas late on to secure a crucial victory 
  • Rio Ferdinand has praised the match winner and says there is still more to come 
  • The former Old Trafford star also compared Rashford to PSG ace Kylian Mbappe 

Manchester United‘s match-winner in Paris, Marcus Rashford, is capable of progressing even further and becoming a truly world class player, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand

The late winner from the forward against PSG, a powerful drive from the edge of the box, handed his team the perfect start to their Champions League group stage campaign – and glowing praise quickly poured in from admiring pundits.

Ferdinand believes that, with the addition of a ‘poacher’s element’ to his repertoire, Rashford is fully capable of ascending to stardom.

Marcus Rashford has been lavished with praise from pundits after his match-winning heroics

The Manchester United striker's dramatic late strike helped his side defeat Paris Saint-Germain

The Manchester United striker’s dramatic late strike helped his side defeat Paris Saint-Germain

He told BT Sport: ‘I think this kid could be world class, he needs to add a poacher’s element, a couple of scruffy goals over a couple of seasons. 

‘Wayne Rooney scored outrageous goals when he joined United, he didn’t score ugly goals but then he got that into his game to add to his repertoire.   

‘If he [Rashford] can get that ugly side, this kid can go on to be unbelievable.’  

The 22-year-old was typically cool in reenacting heroics at the same ground which saw United miraculously progress to the last-16 of the same competition last March.

Rio Ferdinand says Rashford is still capable of progressing if he becomes more of a 'poacher'

Rio Ferdinand says Rashford is still capable of progressing if he becomes more of a ‘poacher’

Rashford let fly from the edge of the box and then wheeled away in wild celebrations in Paris

Rashford let fly from the edge of the box and then wheeled away in wild celebrations in Paris

His showing was a stark contrast to that of fellow prodigy Kylian Mbappe, who had endured a frustrating evening after being shut out by United’s impressive backline.

Ferdinand could not resist making a comparison between both players during his post-match analysis, and insisted that Rashford’s play style while hurtling at defences is notably different.

‘When Mbappe gets the ball, I am on the edge of my seat, whereas Marcus will get it and have a look,’ he added. ‘There is a difference in identifying when to go for goal.’

Owen Hargreaves, another former Old Trafford star, was left irked by those who have criticised Rashford – and agreed with fellow pundit Ferdinand that the striker would continue to improve.

Another former United star, Owen Hargreaves, says it is 'ridiculous' people criticise Rashford

Another former United star, Owen Hargreaves, says it is ‘ridiculous’ people criticise Rashford

He said: ‘I think it is ridiculous that people question him, at 22 he is a fabulous player, he is only going to get better.’ 

Rashford himself would not be drawn over his preferred choice from his two memorable strikes at the Parc des Princes, however.

‘For me they were both opportunities to win the game,’ he told BT Sport.

‘As a striker in the game, that is the mindset. You might only get one chance and you have to do your best to make it count.

Rashford was able to net another last-gasp winner in the same style as the euphoria of last year

Rashford was able to net another last-gasp winner in the same style as the euphoria of last year

United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes' penalty and held out for a deserved victory

United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and held out for a deserved victory

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side enjoyed the perfect start to life in Europe after a tough few weeks

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side enjoyed the perfect start to life in Europe after a tough few weeks

‘Of course it is a nice feeling, more importantly we win the game and we are in a stronger position now in the group.

‘It is the first game and the concentration and intensity we showed today we have to take forward into the next games.

‘It is a good performance but also a performance where we have a lot to build on, I always believe in the team and as players it is important to believe in the system the manager chooses to play and today we did that fantastically.’