Xavi agrees with Trent Alexander-Arnold over Man Utd star Marcus Rashford

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford may be struggling for form, but his class has never been in doubt.

The England international enjoyed a fine season last term, scoring 23 goals between the Premier League and Europa League alone, and played a key role in United’s improved campaign. This season hasn’t been as fruitful so far, with Rashford scoring just once so far across all competitions, but Erik ten Hag has little doubt that his forward will return to form.

Ten Hag said on Monday: “The facts are he’s not scoring at this moment, but he’s had opportunities, like against Brighton, where he had five or six occasions in a very good spot.

“If he works hard and invests every day, with the right focus and if the team around him supplies and helps him and supports him with movement, then it will come and Marcus Rashford is a player who’s capable of scoring a goal in every game. When he’s coming in the right spots, he will score.”

The comments come after Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez praised Rashford as one of the toughest opponents his side have played during his reign.

“(Marcus) Rashford cost us a lot. Also Vinicius (Jr.), (Karim) Benzema,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

And Xavi is not the only man to make that claim, with Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold making a similar statement back in 2019 after Rashford dominated him during a clash between United and Liverpool, scoring twice.

“Yeah, the toughest in terms of a direct opponent and someone getting on top of me in professional football. I’d say I underestimated him. It was a massive learning curve for me,” said the full-back.

“It was something that I hated happening. As a Liverpool player, it’s probably the worst game of the season to perform like that. But when things like that happen you have to learn from them.”