Marcus Rashford: Man Utd striker compared to Kane, Rooney, Ronaldo and Owen

Last updated on 14 January 2019.From the section Man Utd332

Are we finally seeing the real Marcus Rashford again?

The England striker is flourishing under Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and scored the winner as they beat Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday.

It was the 21-year-old's fourth goal in six games under the Norwegian and was the first time he has scored in three consecutive Premier League appearances.

After being in and out of the team under Jose Mourinho, he has been given a prolonged run as a centre forward by Solskjaer and is keeping £75m Romelu Lukaku out of the side.

Before Sunday's win, Solskjaer said Rashford could become a "top, top striker" in the class of Tottenham's Harry Kane.

So how does his record stack up against Kane and other former 'wonder kids' Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Cristiano Ronaldo?

How Solskjaer 'masterplan' helped sink Spurs - Darren Fletcher

Better record than Kane & Ronaldo, behind Owen & Rooney

Rashford burst on the scene as an 18-year-old on 25 February 2016, scoring twice on his senior debut against Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League after being handed a surprise start by Louis van Gaal.

Nearly three years later, he scored his 24th Premier League goal and his 40th in all competitions for United against Spurs.

He is way ahead of his international captain Kane at the same age, whose breakthrough season for Spurs was not until 2014-15 when he was 21.

But Kane has flourished since then, winning the Premier League golden boot twice.

However Rashford's start to his career is eclipsed by former Liverpool striker Owen, who made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old and went on to score 158 goals in 297 games for the Reds, winning the 2001 Ballon d'Or and becoming a two-time Premier League golden boot winner.

Former United team-mate Rooney had also scored more goals at the same age as Rashford.

England's record goalscorer memorably notched his first Premier League goal against Arsenal for Everton just five days before his 17th birthday, which at the time made him the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, now at Juventus, arrived at United from Sporting Lisbon and bagged his first league goal aged 18 against Portsmouth in November 2003.

Rashford faces a daunting task to end up with a trophy haul to match the 33-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but he is keeping pace with the ex-Real Madrid forward in his United career to date.

It is worth remembering, though, that Ronaldo arrived at United as a winger and it wasn't until later in his Old Trafford career that he played as a striker.

What about Lukaku?

Rashford has started all five Premier League games since Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford, with Lukaku only making one start - in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Reading.

Lukaku has been making more of an impact off the bench, scoring twice as a substitute in the wins against Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Despite his diminished role, the 25-year-old Belgium forward is still United's top scorer on nine goals alongside Paul Pogba, and one ahead of Rashford.

What are they saying about Rashford?

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer puts Rashford's current form down to the belief Solskjaer has shown in him.

"Rashford is flying right now because he has a manager with complete belief in him for the first time," he wrote in the Sun. "He is the main man at Manchester United now and has every attribute in his locker to thrive as a striker going forward."

Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane said the youngster reminds him of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

He said: "When Henry came here you weren't sure if he was a striker, if he could finish. He was playing on the left and right wing. He had genuine pace like Rashford but now he is playing as a number nine.

"Solskjaer has seen in him that he is a genuine striker who can score goals. To leave Lukaku out, who cost £75m, and play a 21-year-old is huge. He can achieve a hell of a lot, he is only going to get better."

United team-mate Juan Mata, writing his weekly column, called him simply "the Wonder Kid".

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332 comments

Comment posted by Dreddy Tennis, at 15:34 14 Jan 2019
What this article does is remind me of just how good Michael Owen was in his teens. Brilliant, brilliant striker.
Comment posted by Vox Populi, at 15:40 14 Jan 2019
@21. You're comparing apples and oranges. Kane made his Spurs Premier League breakthrough at a later age. Rashford debuted at 17 years old. A lot of those 97 Rashford appearances are as sub or he was playing on the wing, which Kane never did. Not slating either player, I'm just pointing out you're making a false comparison.
Comment posted by D1710666623546, at 15:42 14 Jan 2019
Kane was never a 'wonder kid', why is he even mentioned.
Comment posted by RealFootball, at 15:29 14 Jan 2019
Don't like all the Man Utd HYS's? - Don't engage!!

Like everything in life - Change starts with you
Comment posted by terrytibbs, at 15:18 14 Jan 2019
Anyone could knock him but they'd be the first to praise him if he ever graced their team with his presence. One of our finest academy strikers for some time, and I hope he stays exactly where he is. Too many bold claims - let the guy get to the level of Owen or Rooney in his own time. For those saying it's impossible - I've seen Owen and CR in United shirts and other shirts, and it's possible.
Comment posted by Fat Bloke Wolfie, at 15:29 14 Jan 2019
Marcus, you are still young and have plenty of time to develop. You're on the right path already and as long as you're willing to work and keep improving the the world is your oyster!!
Ignore the trashy talk and do your thing and good luck to you mate!!
Comment posted by saddletramp , at 19:24 14 Jan 2019
Before his hamstrings went,Michael Owen was the best English striker i have seen since Jimmy Greaves.

If he had kept his electric pace,i'm sure he would have been Englands record goalscorer by a considerable margin.

England under 15s to under 21s,he scored 41 goals in 38 games !

His 118 goals in 216 for Liverpool is exceptional.

Oh and he didnt take penalties !
Comment posted by Duffus , at 15:51 14 Jan 2019
Shows how good Owen was as a kid
Comment posted by Si Bradley, at 15:39 14 Jan 2019
Lets hope he gets plenty of rest as it’s evident with Owen, Rooney, Fabregas and Wilshere, too much game time and miles on the clock at a young age, resulting in injuries and burnout.
Comment posted by paul hirst, at 15:48 14 Jan 2019
Im not a United supporter, but Rashford ever since ive watched him has always shown tremendous promise as a striker. He looks like a lad that needs people to have confidence in him, and to be allowed to play his natural game. There is still a weakness when one on one with a goalkeeper, but he is still learning and will imrove on this as he gets older. He is still learning his trade and is quility.
Comment posted by D1679184257658, at 16:02 14 Jan 2019
Fun comparisons like this are complex because of different positions, ages of emergence, actual minutes on the pitch and state of the team generally. Kane emerged late, Rooney v. early but ran out of steam, Ronaldo stayed fit, changed position (and club) decisively, Owen was crocked by mid-career. Rashford has potential to do all or none of these. Staying fast and fit will be the decisive factors.
Comment posted by whosdatdandare, at 15:24 14 Jan 2019
He is the best Marcus Rashford.
That's all that matters.
Comment posted by UX8200, at 19:55 14 Jan 2019
@Khylsty - there you are again on another United thread. Feeding your obsession again are you?
"If Rashford can stop falling to the ground every time he is tackled and flapping his arms like a demented penguin at the ref he will do ok". Like Salah you mean?
Seriously, this is another nothing article by the Beeb about United. He is a young lad with plenty of promise.End of. Is that worth a story?
Comment posted by LKing, at 16:22 14 Jan 2019
Makes me reminisce about just how good Owen was before injuries completely changed his game.
Comment posted by Hot Bovril Cold Pie, at 21:56 14 Jan 2019
222, "Does anyone know Robbie Fowler's stats please ? I'm guessing he's better than all of them but he tapered off by his mid 20s"

He scored 83 league goals from his debut at 18 until he was 21, more than those in the above stats, yet not classes as a "Wonder Kid" by the BBC.😂
Comment posted by D1679519220599, at 22:07 14 Jan 2019
Ah, another BBC Utd love fest.

Still the lad still has lots to learn but he has time and bags of talent.
Comment posted by D1710799387454, at 15:21 14 Jan 2019
Obviously he broke through earlier than Kane did but Kane just hasn't stopped scoring since then and has been incredibly consistent.
Rashford has been in the best form of his career recently and hopefully his composure in front of goal will improve now he's scoring more regularly, as not being clinical enough is the main thing that's been holding him back from being a really top striker so far.
Comment posted by footfall22, at 15:44 14 Jan 2019
There's no substitute for blistering pace but there are a few aspects of Rashford's game he needs to work. My biggest criticism is he can be very wasteful with the ball and he needs to work on his upper body strength. Great prospect though and he's only going to get better.
Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 22:16 14 Jan 2019
What about Robbie Fowler? He had 65 Premier League goals at that age. Best of the lot.

Unfortunately injuries took their toll.
Comment posted by D1710724006745, at 17:48 14 Jan 2019
i like Rashford, And he will score more when a team plays better..its not rocket science .