Red Devils defender Luke Shaw has paid tribute to an exciting academy graduate who sets the standard for fellow youngsters at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford has “looked unstoppable at times this season”, says Luke Shaw, who’s confident that the United forward forward has every chance of winning the Ballon d’Or at some point in his career.
At just 22 years of age, the highly-rated frontman is approaching the end of a fifth season as part of the Red Devils’ first-team set-up.
Having been given his big break by Louis van Gaal in 2016, Rashford has now taken in 201 appearances for United and recorded 64 goals – including a personal best return of 19 goals this season so far.
With injury having threatened to bring his 2019-20 campaign to a premature conclusion prior to the coronavirus outbreak, he is now back to being fully fit and all ready to bring his star prowess back to the pitch when the Premier League action resumes soon.
Shaw expects Rashford to remain a key figure for the Red Devils, and continuing on an upward trajectory with his impressive development
“He’s improved greatly from when he first came on the scene, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well,” Shaw told United’s official website when asked by a supporter if Rashford can win the Ballon d’Or one day.
“He’s matured so much. He’s really turned into a man and I think everyone’s seen the way he’s conducted himself off the pitch; especially during this pandemic, he’s been unbelievable.
“He’s a massive example to everyone. He’s matured so much and a lot of credit for that goes to him and also to his family, who have kept him very grounded.”
United have always been able to pride themselves on their cultivation of home-generated talent, with Rashford being another of their success stories.
“He’s a big inspiration for a lot of young people, especially the ones who are coming through from Manchester,” Shaw added on Rashford, who he works with at club and international level.
“In Marcus, they’ve got someone to look up to not just on the pitch but off it too, which is really nice to see. As a player, he’s improved so much but he always wants to learn, always wants to get better and, to me, he’s getting better every time I see him play.”
“He’s looked unstoppable at times this season and he’s looked so confident. I haven’t seen that in him before. He was always confident, but not to this level, and he’s matured so much.
“He knows he has the ability to be one of the best and he’s pushing himself all the time to maximise that. There’s no reason why, if he keeps going, keeps pushing himself, that he can’t win it (the Ballon d’Or) one day.”