Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford can be ‘England’s Ronaldo’ as he heaped praise on the 19-year old as the Three Lions booked their spot in next summer’s World Cup with a win over Slovenia.
Keown believes that the next step in Rashford’s development is to move from a wide position, to a more centralized one.
“All the best players — Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi — started as wingers at some point and Rashford just needs to drift a bit more central and express himself more coming off the touchline,” wrote Keown on the Daily Mail.
Rashford has the ability to impact the game no matter where he lines up on the pitch. He’s become a key man for both club and country as he continues to dazzle defenders and fans alike.
However, Like Ronaldo and Messi, Keown believes that his future isn’t as a winger, but as a center forward or striker.
“I think he’ll be a top player, and they don’t stay fixed for too long out wide. Outside left should only be his starting position when it comes to the World Cup.”
Rashford burst onto the scene at Old Trafford as a striker, but last season he was relegated to the left wing with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But when the Big Swede went down with a serious knee injury, United turned to the teenager to lead the line.
But with the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Everton, Rashford may have to settle for wide roles when both he and the Belgian are on the pitch. And with England in-form striker Harry Kane seemingly has the starting center forward spot locked down for the foreseeable future.
Like Ronaldo at United, Rashford uses a mixture of pace, skill, and determination to decimate opposition defenses — and he’s a promising free kick taker as well.
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“I like the way Marcus Rashford runs at people and asks questions of defenders,” Keown added in his article.
Rashford grew up idolizing some of the greatest footballers of all time — and he has the work ethic to follow in their footsteps.
“You try to, especially when you’re young, until you find your own identity. You try to emulate those players a lot and they’re the things that make you into the player you are. Rashford said earlier this week to reporters. “Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, Neymar — everyone knows good football when you see it and that’s what I like to watch as well.
Rashford see’s himself as a striker, but he knows patience is key, and is happy to play anywhere he is needed.
“I’m a striker but if you have to play elsewhere to wait for your time, so be it.
“Wherever I’m playing, I try to get the same results. Obviously you have to do it in a different way but it’s not my decision.”
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At just the age of 19, the fact that Rashford can handle such a huge role at United and for his country is incredible. The sky is the limit for Rashford and if he continues to grow at this pace, Keown is right — he will be England’s Ronaldo.