Rio Ferdinand believes that refocussing and recovering from various injuries are the secrets behind Marcus Rashford's return to form this season.
The Manchester United star has endured a difficult last 18 months after his form nosedived following his fateful penalty miss for England in last summer's Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy. Rashford put off shoulder surgery to represent the Three Lions in the tournament and started last season on the sidelines as he recovered.
He returned with a bang with three goals in four matches but would only bag on another two occasions for the remainder of the campaign. However, under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag, Rashford has returned to his best in the current campaign and is the club's top scorer with eight.
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The 25-year-old has continued that fine form for his country, too, netting three goals in the group stages as England qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup in style. Rashford is joint top scorer in the tournament and will be aiming to add to his tally against Senegal on Sunday evening.
Ferdinand, who has also been impressed by Harry Maguire's displays in Qatar, has explained Rashford's revival. "Maguire is not the only England player to have come through a difficult time to shine at this tournament," he told the BBC.
"His United team-mate Marcus Rashford has been on a similar journey where he seemed to lose some of his confidence, with the difference being he has been playing so well in the Premier League this season. Now he is doing the same for England. I'm so pleased to see him flying again and maybe he just needed to do some refocusing to get back on track.
"He had been carrying some injuries as well, so getting a proper pre-season last summer was massive for him. He looks fresh and, as I said on BBC One after the Wales game, a smiling, hungry, dynamic and upbeat Marcus Rashford is a devastating player. At the moment he is all of these things.
"When he gets the ball, he turns and runs and is aggressive with it - he is not receiving it and playing it backwards. Instead he is facing his defender up and saying, 'I am going to test you'. Rashford has three goals already, after only one start. He took us to a different level against Wales and it is going to be very difficult to drop him for the Senegal game now.
"Four years ago it was Harry Kane who got most of the goals when we reached the semi-finals in Russia. This England team is doing things differently, but I am getting similar vibes about our chances of going far this time too. I feel confident about the whole team and I love the fact that when we have made changes we have not looked weaker at all. It feels like we are ready and I can't wait to find out what happens next."
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