Marcus Rashford in elite group of Europe’s best forwards – Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has lumped Marcus Rashford in the same bracket as the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as the best forwards in Europe.

Ten Hag was impressed with Rashford from the moment he arrived at Old Trafford, and felt he had the potential to become lethal in front of goal.

The England international needs to deliver season after season to earn his place among the cream of the European crop, but his manager feels he belongs in the conversation.

“He’s definitely one of them,” Ten Hag said when asked if Rashford is one of Europe’s best forwards. “He has the skills.

“I was convinced from the first moment, I was really excited to work with him, I thought I could get more out of him.

“But he has so many skills and such high potential and there can be even more. When he works well he will score even more goals because he can score with his left, right and his head.

“It’s about him getting into position but also the team has to have the capabilities to pass in there and cross in there, as they did today. I think that is what I wanted to describe.”

Rashford’s goal at Elland Road was an example of a player high on confidence, as he pulled into space expecting the cross to arrive – and he provided the finish.

The 25-year-old has 21 goals in all competitions this term, one shy of his best, and Ten Hag feels he has the potential to regularly breach the 30-goal mark. Robin van Persie was the last United player to do that in 2012/13.

The Dutch coach said: “You asked me, ‘do you think you have a player in your squad who can score 20 goals?’ in August or September and I confirmed. I think he can do that.

“Now, if you are satisfied with it then it will stop. Because satisfaction goes to laziness you have to keep investing every day and when he keeps the investment and keeps the focus in every game and brings the energy in and the belief, he will score, he will keep scoring.

“So then I don’t know when it will stop but it has to go from game to game and during the week do the right things. I think as a manager, as a coaching staff we have to push him but finally it comes from the player. When he loses focus, the scoring will stop, clear.”