‘Best in the world’ Rashford ‘deserves’ success for ‘knuckling down’ after England disappointment

Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes Marcus Rashford is “the best player in the world” right now.

Rashford is one of the most in-form players in world football and helped his side claim the Carabao Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

The England forward thought he had doubled United’s lead with a deflected goal, however, the strike went down as a Sven Botman own goal, we think…

He has found the back of the net 13 times in 16 matches this year, the best goal scoring record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Rashford’s incredible form has seen Erik ten Hag’s side become title contenders and end their six-season trophy drought.

The quadruple is on after Sunday’s Carabao Cup success and Rashford hopes this is just the beginning.

“This (a trophy) is something we have missed as a club,” he told Sky Sports.

“The fact we have come here and won it is a massive feeling, but hopefully a positive to keep going.

“There is a hunger to have more moments like this. I have been in finals where we have won and where we have lost. This is massive for us as individuals and the club.

“I am buzzing with the result. The boys have put a lot of work in to get us here.”

Rashford added: “We want to be involved in a lot of games, and that means we have to stay in the competitions.

“If we want to win things, that means we have to keep pushing and going for the whole thing.”

Rashford is clearly very motivated to win more trophies, which United defender Jones thinks he “deserves” having “worked really hard on himself”.

“He came back from the World Cup probably not starting as many games as he would have liked [for England],” Jones said.

“He’s knuckled down, got on with it, he’s become sharper, stronger, and you see that in his performances this season.

“Defenders find it really hard to cope with him, he can take it one way or the other, goals from outside the box, he’s scored a few headers recently as well, so his all-round game has hit heights he probably didn’t think he was going to get to. He’s been brilliant, and on current form he’s probably the best player in the world.

“You can see his body shape, he’s strengthened in the gym and worked really hard on himself. The club have worked with him really well. After training [as well]. People don’t see the work he puts in after training. I’m delighted for him, he deserves it.”

Jones is still a United player but was doing punditry for Sky Sports at Wembley.

The 31-year-old has not made an appearance for the Red Devils this season having played four times in 2021-22.