Rio Ferdinand says Marcus Rashford can establish himself as one of the world's elite footballers if he improves his in-game dominance, ball retention and movement decision-making.
The Manchester United attacker is in the form of his career having tallied 21 goals so far this campaign. He has now scored in all but one of his last nine Premier League appearances, including in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Leeds United.
The 25-year-old has now netted more than four times as many goals as he managed last season. Ferdinand believes Rashford still has gears to go to become an even more accomplished star, though.
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The former United defender hailed the England forward but called on him to be more ‘dominant’ in matches in order to be branded world class, and detailed several aspects that will help get him there.
Speaking on his YouTube show FIVE, Ferdinand said: "I think there is more of a dominance throughout the 90 minutes that he [Rashford] can bring where he's bringing other people into the game even more.
“You know he's got the passing and we saw that last season. Even when he was out of form, there were still elements where he can produce a pass out of nothing and put people in if there's runners.
"Once he starts getting that synergy with a couple of the other players in the team, he will be able to pick out more... I think he can take over a game. I think he's got that and we have seen him do that at points this season.
“If he can do that more consistently, then you are getting into the realms of a world-class football player. I don't think he's even that far off in terms of form right now.”
Ferdinand suggested that Rashford can take a leaf out of Lionel Messi’s book when it comes to keeping hold of the ball in difficult areas of the pitch, something that was a prominent part of Messi's play in Qatar in December.
He added: “Even things like ball retention. We watched Messi in the World Cup and his ball retention is ridiculous.
“The amount of times the ball comes into him, at crazy angles and crazy pace, he simplifies it and makes it look so easy in difficult situations. It's parts like that Marcus can add to his game as well.”
Regarding movement, Ferdinand continued: "The other part, if I'm a defender I sometimes think he makes it look easy for them, sometimes, in the game. If he offered the threat in behind a bit more, then I think he gets even more joy to feet and becomes that threat in behind still.
“I think that part of his game with decision-making and whether to run long or come short would be great. If he gets that he becomes even more of a horrible player to play against."
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