Marcus Rashford is arguably the best striker in the Premier League on current form, according to his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Rashford’s brilliant individual goal proved crucial as Manchester United registered their seventh win in seven games under Solskjaer, beating Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1.
The 21-year-old has scored five in those seven outings since Solskjaer’s appointment, with four in his last four league appearances.
Solskjaer admitted that when picking out the top-flight’s best striker on current form, an ankle injury to Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane helps Rashford’s chances considerably.
Yet the United caretaker believes that the youngster is nevertheless playing the best football of his career to date and spoke highly of Rashford’s mentality.
“You can argue for many strikers but I’m glad he’s in my team,” Solskjaer said. “Harry Kane’s injured so maybe that gives him a better chance to be the best at the moment.
“I’ve got to say his work rate, 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. I can’t believe Jesse didn’t score on that chance, back post.
“I think [Rashford] is playing the best football in his career.”
Rashford’s goal – a lofted finish from a narrow angle after brilliantly turning Brighton’s Pascal Gross – doubled United’s lead and should have ensured a comfortable victory.
Brighton responded through Gross in the 72nd minute, however, and United had to hold on for all three points in the nervy closing stages.
“We made it more difficult than it should have been,” Solskjaer admitted. “Of course the last 20 minutes, up until then I thought we played some great stuff at times.
“Beginning of the second half, we should have scored one or two goals, then it’s a comfortable win. But as I’ve said many times, any game will give you different challenges.”
