Paul Scholes believes Marcus Rashford has taken on the onus of being the match-winner for Manchester United since Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.
The attacker is the club's top scorer, having netted 15 times ahead of United's lunchtime clash with Manchester City. Rashford's double against Charlton in the League Cup on Tuesday meant he became the first player to score in eight consecutive Old Trafford matches since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
It meant he scored in all seven matches after the World Cup and since Ronaldo's exit. The superstar had his United contract mutually terminated during the tournament after his infamous interview with Piers Morgan.
READ MORE: United vs City LIVE
Ronaldo netted 24 goals in his homecoming season, managing three more this term before his November departure. Rashford had scored seven times in 19 outings prior to the World Cup, where he scored three for the Three Lions.
But his bolstered form after the tournament has been notable, scoring eight goals in United's first seven matches post-break. Scholes made sure to recognise his fantastic revival under Erik ten Hag in his praise for Rashford, suggesting he starting to morph into the 'Cristiano mould'.
Speaking on BT Sport prior to kick-off against City, Scholes said: "His numbers are fantastic. His physique as well, he almost looks bigger and stronger, he looks more powerful, almost in the Cristiano mould, doing stuff like this [his goal against Wolves].
"He’s almost took that mantle of Cristiano Ronaldo, being that match winner. Now look, he’s done it for a short period of time, so it’s about can he go on.
"The new manager has helped him, he’s got a bit more discipline about him - we saw what happened at Wolves a couple weeks ago, he can’t do stuff like that, he has got to be on his game.
"He’s going out every game thinking he can score a goal and they way he’s going, everyone expects him to score a goal. He has become a match winner - not Cristiano-like, it’s too early to say that - but I think there’s potential to be that."
Ferdinand also hailed Rashford, adding: "He looks like a different beast, he looks like he’s growing into his frame and turning into a man. He looks more aggressive, more on it and like ‘I am the man. No one else is taking that spotlight, I am that guy now.’
"I think the key point is that he’s done this over eight to ten games, we want to see this over a season and beyond that, but the vein of form he’s in right now, he’s up there with the best of them."
READ NEXT:
