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Paul Scholes is backing Marcus Rashford to score 25 goals this season, after the Manchester United forward displayed “Ruud van Nistelrooy-esque” qualities in a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig.
Rashford has been making front page headlines for his wonderful philanthropic efforts in fighting child poverty. But on Wednesday, it was his actions on the field that earned him the applause.
With United’s draw in the Champions League with Leipzig in the balance, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the striker off the bench in the second half.
And in 16 minutes, Rashford became the first United substitute to score a hat-trick since his coach did the same in 1999.
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But it was another former Red Devils forward that Paul Scholes saw in the 22-year-old, as he scored seven goals in nine appearances this season.
Van Nistelrooy sacked 150 goals in five seasons at Old Trafford and Scholes believes his “cruelty” in front of goal is reminiscent of the Dutchman.
“He was brilliant, you can expect this from him,” he told BT Sport. “I like his cruelty tonight, you felt that every time it happened, he was not giving the goalkeeper a chance, he was breaking it on the net.
“That was the best of him. His completion has been questioned in the past, but tonight, if he maintains that attitude, you’re seeing 25 goals this season for him.
“That was van Nistelrooy style,” Scholes said of his second goal. “You see it go through it and you know it’s smashing it into the bottom corner. It was brilliant.
How many goals will Marcus Rashford score this season? Give us your opinion here.
(Image: Reuters)
“We talk about Rudd van Nistelrroy and that kind of finish, when you get the chance … bang, it’s a goal.”
Rashford is the competition’s top scorer after two weeks into the game and former United defender Rio Ferdinand joined Scholes in praising the hat-trick hero.
“The only way I can describe the cameo tonight is like being on a playground and the big boy comes and plays,” added Ferdinand. “He did everything tonight, he was way above them. It made the defenders that we were amazed at before the game, who we saw play very well in the Champions League last season, look like schoolboys tonight.
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