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Opinion: Performance of Kylian Mbappe shows Marcus Rashford still has a way to go

Marcus Rashford was overshadowed by the performance of Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League
Marcus Rashford was overshadowed by the performance of Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League

Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as manager of Manchester United, Marcus Rashford has been in the best form of his young career.

Preferred to Romelu Lukaku in the central role that he has craved for so long, Rashford has been amongst the goals as he has struck up a wonderful understanding with the equally rejuvenated Paul Pogba.

His form has seen him hit double figures for the season already and saw him win the Premier League player of the month award in January.

Going into the last 16 tie against Paris Saint Germain at Old Trafford, it was Rashford that Manchester United fans would have been looking towards to offer the most threat to the French side's defence.

However, it was a young player more than a year younger than Rashford that would steal the show on the night and that man was Kylian Mbappe.

Shorn of the talents of Neymar and Edinson Cavani, and with the recent upturn in form enjoyed by United under their new manager, there were many who thought that the team from Old Trafford had a great chance of causing an upset.

Unfortunately for them though they came up against a player in Mbappe who is in devastating form for his side at the moment.

Despite his tender years, Kylian Mbappe is already one of the best players in the world
Despite his tender years, Kylian Mbappe is already one of the best players in the world

His goal last night was like watching Cristiano Ronaldo at his very best. United were vulnerable after conceding the first goal and Mbappe took full advantage, showing all the drive, hunger and lightning speed that has become Ronaldo's trademark to put the game, and most likely the tie to bed.

Rashford has already achieved so much at such a young age but his achievements pale in comparison to his French counterpart, who is already a World Cup winner, has won two league titles in France and scored 75 club goals for Monaco and PSG.

This article is no criticism of Marcus Rashford, a player who seems to be getting better and better with every passing week. But Mbappe's performance should serve as a reminder that the young Englishman still has a long long way to go to be considered among the best players in the world, a crown that already sits comfortably on the head of Mbappe.

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