Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick says Marcus Rashford is ‘one of the top strikers in England’

Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick expects to see a rejuvenated Marcus Rashford after the midwinter break following the England striker’s late winner against West Ham.

Rashford has struggled this season and was dropped after going 11 games without a goal before netting in Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Brentford.

He’s now scored in consecutive league games for the first time in more than a year, and Rangnick thinks the 24-year-old is ready to show his best form again when United next play in a fortnight. 

Marcus Rashford netted in the 93rd minute to secure a crucial 1-0 win over West Ham United

‘Marcus is one of the top strikers in England and has everything you need for a modern forward —pace, skills, size and physicality,’ said Rangnick.

‘In the end it is all about confidence and I am pretty sure those two goals will have raised his confidence.

‘It’s now about him taking the right steps and continuing. I think he will play an important role for the rest of the season.

‘To say I was convinced we would score in the last minute is unrealistic but we took all the risks in the world and deserved it. 

Rashford has now scored in consecutive games after also finding the net against Brentford

Boss Ralf Rangnick was delighted with the impact of the England international off the bench

‘I don’t know how long Fergie-time was. Five minutes? I would like more games like Brentford when you are leading 3-0 but the advantage of scoring in the last seconds is that it doesn’t give the opposition time to score.’

Rashford’s late winner apart, Rangnick was more pleased with his team’s defensive display than up front, with United keeping a league clean sheet for the first time since his opening couple of games.

‘It was the best we’ve been defensively in a few weeks, winning the ball back and our physicality,’ he admitted. 

The 24-year-old has been described as ‘one of the best strikers in England’ by his manager

‘But we know we still have to improve in possession. We have to improve decisions in the final third but it was good to have our four forwards all contributing to the goal.’

That included Anthony Martial who wants to leave Old Trafford with Sevilla interested, although United want a loan fee.

The Frenchman, 26, got a mixed reception when he was introduced by Rangnick for the final eight minutes but played a part in the winner, feeding Edinson Cavani to cross for Rashford.