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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Man Utd star Marcus Rashford backed to become Premier League’s No.1 striker with Harry Kane injured

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Marcus Rashford to become the Premier League's top striker after another match-winning performance for Manchester United.

Solskjaer was full of praise for Rashford after the 2-1 win over Brighton, during which the young forward scored a superb goal to put his side 2-0 up in the Premier League contest at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old England international, who expertly turned away from Pascal Gross before curling a fine shot into the top corner, has netted five times in six league matches following the Norwegian's appointment in December.

With Tottenham star Harry Kane currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury, Solskjaer was asked whether he thought Rashford was currently the best centre-forward in the division.

United's caretaker manager replied: "You can argue for many strikers but I'm glad he's in my team.

"Harry Kane's injured so maybe that gives him a better chance to be the best one at the moment.

(REUTERS)

"No-one beats him on work-rate, no-one beats him on attitude and at the moment he's very confident in front of goal. He finishes, he tries to shoot, he doesn't think twice about it.

"He made a chance for Jesse (Lingard) and I cannot believe how Jesse didn't score on that chance at the back post.

"So at the moment I think he's playing the best football in his career."

Rashford's 42nd-minute goal, on his 150th United appearance, came after Paul Pogba had opened the scoring with a penalty he won himself. The midfielder has also scored five times since the Red Devils sacked Jose Mourinho and brought in Solskjaer.

Pogba reprised his stuttering spot-kick run-up and Solskjaer said: "He has scored quite a few goals hasn't he, so if he's comfortable with it, as long as the ball goes in the net...

"I wouldn't have done it that way but the way he strikes the ball is good enough."

(AFP/Getty Images)

After Gross pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, it was a nervy conclusion for the hosts but they managed to see out the victory as Solskjaer became the first United boss to win his first six league games.

The 45-year-old is the third manager in Premier League history to win their first six matches in charge of a club, after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola at Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.

"We made it more difficult than it should have been the last 20 minutes, because up until then I thought we played some great stuff at times," said Solskjaer.

"The players have to be proud of the form and momentum they are building.

"Maybe in 10, 15, 20 years time I'll look back on things like this.

"I don't care whatsoever about records, I'm never bothered about these things. But of course to be part of a team winning so much feels great, and the confidence that grows in that dressing room, I think the team spirit kept them away from losing points today."

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