Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Marcus Rashford can emulate Manchester United greats

Rashford has emerged as Solskjaer's first-choice No 9 and is enjoying a fine fit of form

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Marcus Rashford can emulate Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo by becoming a Manchester United great.

Rashford crowned his 150th United appearance with a majestic individual goal that ultimately proved decisive in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Wythenshawe-born academy product brilliantly turned Pascal Gross before scoring United’s second with a lofted finish at an acute angle.

It was Rashford’s fifth goal in Solskjaer’s seven games in charge, having scored three in his previous 15 outings under Jose Mourinho.

And at 21 years, two months and 12 days old, Rashford has reached 150 United appearances before predecessors Rooney and Ronaldo.

Whereas Mourinho used Rashford sparingly, often as a substitute, Solskjaer has promoted him to become his first-choice No 9.

When asked whether the youngster can match Rooney and Ronaldo’s achievements at Old Trafford, the United caretaker agreed.

“Well, yeah. Definitely, he can be absolutely top class,” he said. “He is only 21 but the maturity he is showing at times is more than 21, and his work rate.

“The more you score the more you believe you are going to score and everyone says when you don’t score: ‘He is bound to score soon’.

“The more you score the more chance you have of being confident, running into the same positions. The way he works during the week is fantastic because he practices a lot.”

Solskjaer has stressed the importance of United’s academy to the club’s ‘DNA’ since his arrival and vowed to give more young players an opportunity in the first team.

In Rashford and his team-mate Jesse Lingard, who hails from nearby Warrington, he sees a particular Mancunian spirit that he believes should be reflected in United’s play.

Rashford received a late yellow card for a needless foul against Brighton, at a point where United were holding on for victory, but Solskjaer wants to channel this aggression rather than discard it.

“[Rashford] is a proper Manc,” the United caretaker said. “You can’t kick him and keep him down, he will stand up for a fight and stand up for himself and a teammate.

“But he knows, and we spoke about it: don’t give stupid fouls away against Brighton because they are going to get you in trouble.

“They have quality delivery and physical attributes in the box. He could have done it right in the middle of the centre circle instead or at their end.

“It is a pleasure working with him,” Solskjaer added. “Him and Jesse, I’ve got to say you like those proper Mancs. I worked with Jesse and saw Marcus coming through.

“They enjoy each others company, they socialise quite a bit. When we travel they are always together.

“On the pitch they have got an understanding, that comes from being brought through by the likes of Paul McGuinness and Jimmy Ryan.

“They have had the coaches and know the way we want a Manchester United player to be. They understand each other.”