Jamie Carragher says that if the season ended now, Marcus Rashford would be voted as the Premier League’s player of the season.
The Manchester United attacker has netted 24 goals this campaign, his best ever single-season tally. The 25-year-old has also provided nine assists and has naturally been cast as one of the club’s best players this term.
Many had predicted Manchester City striker Erling Haaland would run away with the award given his emphatic start to the season. He is nine ahead of second-placed Harry Kane in the golden boot race having recorded 26 league goals in addition to his six in other competitions.
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Haaland is averaging a goal a game so far but has found the net just once in his last six outings. Meanwhile, Rashford has only failed to score in four of his 18 matches post-World Cup and has netted 10 times in as many league matches.
But his all-round play is what pips him ahead of Haaland in the player of the year candidacy, according to Carragher. He wrote in The Telegraph: “Step aside Erling Haaland. Marcus Rashford is currently producing performances of a complete Premier League striker.
“If votes were being cast this week, the Manchester United attacker would surely command most support from his peers. Haaland hit the ground running after joining Manchester City and remains on course for the golden boot.
“Rashford’s form under Erik ten Hag is taking his game to that next level. His all-round displays this season are superior to Haaland’s because United are set up to get the most from him.”
Explaining how Haaland differs from Rashford, Carragher added: “Haaland is a prolific scorer of goals in a team which benefits from his considerable finishing skills, but has yet to work out how to maximise every facet of his game such as his pace and physicality outside of the penalty area.
“When Haaland has not scored – and fortunately for City he generally has – he has struggled to offer anything else over 90 minutes. He is a great goalscorer who needs to evolve into a great player who scores goals.
“If you stop the service to Haaland, which is admittedly easier said than done, you de-weaponise him. The on-field relationship needs work at City.
“The same cannot be said of Rashford, whose speed and movement is the focal point of United’s attack. He is currently a great player who is scoring goals.
“Rashford has made over 200 more passes over the course of 24 Premier League appearances than Haaland in his 23, highlighting the difference in how they connect with their teammates.”
Rashford is on course to break the 30-goal landmark this season and would be the first United star to do so since Robin van Persie during the 2012/13 season.
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