Marcus Rashford is only second to Kylian Mbappe as the best player in the world right now, says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
The forward has rediscovered his best form under the Dutchman this season, earning a recall to the England fold and featuring in their World Cup campaign.
Rashford and the rest of the Three Lions ultimately came up short in the quarter-finals against Mbappe and France on Saturday, in a close-fought Qatar 2022 encounter.
But his performances this term have got Ten Hag singing his praises, crediting him for his tactical intelligence and positional play.
“From the first moment, I recognised huge potential [in Marcus],” the former Ajax boss stated.
“When Marcus’ positioning is on the back of the defending line, there is almost no better player in the world. It’s really difficult to stop him.
“There is Mbappe [at] this moment [who is better than him]. When [Rashford] is getting in that position, he’s great, and he’s really improved.”
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, each and every one of our team gave everything we had to be ready for what was thrown at us, we got close, but not close enough.
I’ll make a promise that we will come again!
Thank you for the unconditional support. pic.twitter.com/G964SZYiCL
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) December 11, 2022
Rashford has coincidentally been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where Mbappe penned a new contract ahead of the this campaign.
With a deal at Old Trafford that expires at the end of the season, the forward could be headed for the door, though Ten Hag says they will activate a one-year extension.
The manager acknowledges the final call on his future rests with the player, however, adding: “He has to make a decision.
“The only thing we can do is show him this is the best club to be in, in the way we play and the way we train and if we are offering the right environment to progress,” he added.
“It’s a financial issue as well. Then it is up to him to make the decision. But for one-and-a-half years, he will be here.”
