06 September, 2017
Phil Neville has tipped Marcus Rashford to star at the World Cup in Russian Federation, claiming the Manchester United forward is "made for the big stage".
"I think we saw what Rashford is all about and his unbelievable temperament in showing that nothing really fazes him", the former Manchester United and Everton defender told Sky Sports.
Defender Phil Jones has praised Marcus Rashford after his Manchester United teammate helped England to a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Monday evening.
United's flair going forward has been on show for all to see this season, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in fantastic form from the off.
He added: "United prepare their players well, which is why they end up the way they do".
With the likes of Reece Oxford, Ryan Kent, Chris Willock, and Matty Willock all now being employed away from England, the player's views certainly prove to be accurate.
"I won't class it as a good experience because you never want to experience losing a tournament", he said.
Southgate insists he's known about the 19-year-old's talents for a while, thanks in part to a conversation during his spell as England Under 21 boss with United legend Giggs, who was the club's assistant manager when Rashford broke through. He's already special but he'll be a world-beater one day, he's that good.
"He's already proven himself on the bigger stage and, as much as you don't want to overhype young players, I think he's perfectly poised to really step up at the World Cup".
Rashford has scored one goal and made one assist in the Premier League for Jose Mourinho's men so far to help them top the table after three games. He's a great lad in the dressing room, he's a talented footballer, he's strong and he's quick.
'He understands we have belief in him.
The centre-back was keen to emphasise that there have been many figures who have helped his development since he became a Red, past and present.
"It's that much harder so I wouldn't be surprised if more players were to venture out and try different options".
"I believe there are great values in football and, if this helps on that, then great". "A couple of years ago, I would always think about what would have happened if I had stayed at United, but now I have no regrets, I am happy to be here in the situation I am, playing with the players I am". It's not just one player or one manager, everyone chips in and that's the way it should be. To play in front of 70,000 people every week, they bring them up in a way that you know the kind of player they will be before they walk through the door.