Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes that it is Marcus Rashford’s mentality that has helped him improve his form this season. Rashford is United’s leading goalscorer this term having notched just five in all competitions last campaign. Erik ten Hag has previously compared the Englishman to Kylian Mbappe for his ability to get in behind the opposition defence.Despite being injured this season, Jones has been able to observe Rashford’s rise at Carrington. He told Sky Sports, ahead of the Carabao Cup final, that the 25-year-old’s dedication sets him apart from other players.
Phil Jones explained: “I think it is his maturity, especially after the World Cup where he did not start as many games as he would have liked. He has knuckled down and got on with it. He has become sharper, stronger and you see that in the reflection of his performances this season. Defenders find him really hard to deal with, cope with him. He can take it one way, take it the other way. His goals [are] from outside the box, inside the box, he has scored a few headers lately as well. His all-round game at the minute has hit heights that probably even he didn’t think he would get to. But he has been brilliant. He probably will not thank me for it but I think, on current form, he is the best player in the world. His body shape, his strength in the gym, he has worked really hard on himself. The club have worked with him really well after training, people do not see that, but the work that he puts in after training [is brilliant]. So I am delighted for him.”