After finishing runner-up to Renato Sanches last year, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is once again nominated for the 2017 Golden Boy Award.
The Golden Boy award looks to recognize the world’s best talent under the age of 21. Italian newspaper Tuttosport hosts the competition and 30 journalists vote on the ballot. Manchester United’s Rashford is on the list.
Swansea City’s loanee Sanches was the 2016 recipient of the Golden Boy Award following his heroics in the European Championships last summer with Portugal.
Rashford finished just shy of beating Sanches to the award, after he burst onto the scene at Manchester United.
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Rashford scored a debut brace in the Europa and Premier League, and was one of the few bright spots the dismal 2015-16 campaign under Louis van Gaal.
While PSG’s Kylian Mbappe is favored to claim the prize after he helped lead his former club Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and semifinal of the Champions League, Rashford’s chances cannot be dismissed.
The 19-year old phenom fired Manchester United into the Europa League title last season, and was one of Jose Mourinho’s most trusted players on the squad, featuring in the team more than any other player.
“I see similarities with Thierry Henry myself, he’s brilliant off the left.” — Ryan Giggs on Marcus Rashford.
In just over two full seasons as a United first teamer, Rashford has bagged himself 26 goals in 91 appearances across all competitions — including a goal in his Champions League debut last week.
There is no doubt Old Trafford is host to some of the brightest talents in Europe — but perhaps the crown jewel of them all is Rashford.
Along with Rashford, United have the foundation to be a force across all fronts for the years to come with the likes of Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, and Victor Lindelof all under the age of 25.
Joining Rashford on the shortlist are fellow Premier League talents Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton; Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City; Joe Gomez, Liverpool; Dominic Solanke, Liverpool; and Kyle Walker-Peters, Tottenham.
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Rashford is one of the brightest talents in the world — and a homegrown player to add. Even if he fails to claim the Golden Boy Award this season, there is no doubting the expectations and importance this teenager has to both his club and his country — and like he’s managed to do his whole career — he is sure to rise to each and every occasion.