Manchester United forwards Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are amongst the best in Europe when it comes to talents aged 21 or younger, according to ESPN FC.
Rashford and Martial, aged 19 and 21, respectively; have been two bright spots in the mostly underwhelming past two season.
Martial was electrifying in his first season following his £36 million move from Monaco in 2015. However, last season found himself struggling for form.
Despite last season, performances for both club and country have still earned him a place on ESPN FC’s Michael Cox list of the best young players in Europe.
Martial has found himself caught up in a whirlwind of transfer rumors this summer that would take him away from Old Trafford.
Most notably being a piece in a swap deal to bring in winger Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.
However, Martial seems determined to stay and fight for his place.
Manager Jose Mourinho still believes there is a place for the young Frenchman on the team.
“He is a young player, still time to learn, still time to improve, still time to develop,” said Mourninho following the preseason win over Real Madrid in which Martial’s performance was impressive.
Martial will look to build upon his positive preseason and show the world why he belongs on the list of the best players 21-years old or younger.
Rashford, unlike Martial, has found life much more comfortable under Jose Mourinho thus far.
Receiving regular playing time and having the manager’s full trust, Rashford was the driving force behind United’s run to lifting the Europa League trophy this last May.
His knack for scoring has been on display since he put two goals past Midtjylland and Arsenal in his Europa League and Premier League Debuts, respectively.
His meteoric rise to assuming the role of as one of the best forward options for both club and country asserts him solidly into the list of Europe’s bets Under 21’s
And at the ripe young age of just 19, the sky is the ceiling for Rashford if he continues to develop his game.
Manchester United can lay claim two of the five total Premier League players to appear on the list.
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The other three include Tottenham’s mercurial playmaker Dele Alli, aged 21; and Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane. The full list can be found here.