Football
ESPN staff 7y

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford wants to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United hotshot Marcus Rashford has chosen Cristiano Ronaldo to serve as his footballing muse.

The 18-year-old Rashford has seen his star ascend to unimaginable heights since bursting onto the scene in the second half of last season. The United academy graduate ingratiated himself to then-boss Louis van Gaal and the Old Trafford faithful with a Europa League brace against Midtjylland.

Rashford followed that devastating debut with two more tallies against Arsenal three days later, and hasn't looked back since. Speaking to Sky Sports' Soccer AM on Friday, the thrice-capped England international confirmed he aspires to one day reach the level of Real Madrid's prolific Portuguese star.

"In recent years Ronaldo is the example," Rashford said of the former Manchester United man.

"Wherever you put him in the attacking three he's going to make an impact and the opposition are going to fear him. Being a constant threat, that's what I need to develop.

"[Wayne] Rooney and Ronaldo were unreal [together]. In 2007-08 it was an unreal partnership, they have been huge players I have looked up to and watched how they perform to try to put into my own performance."

Rashford, who scored 13 times in 35 matches last season, has scored four goals in eight over all competitions for Manchester United this campaign.

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