Michael Owen and Michail Antonio agree that the World Cup acted as a form booster for Marcus Rashford ahead of his terrific goal-scoring run for Manchester United.
The attacker netted three times for England in Qatar before netting in eight of his nine Premier League games since. He’s also added five goals in FA Cup and League Cup games since the break and sits on 21 goals for the season.
Rashford was named as the Premier League’s player of the month for January and has already found the net three times in February. West Ham striker Antonio pointed out that his stint with the Three Lions in Qatar has done wonders for his confidence.
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“Before the season, no-one was even sure he was going to be called up for England - then he went and how he was, scoring unbelievable goals, he’s come back from there a different player,” Antonio told Premier League Productions. “The World Cup gave him the boost and then from there he’s taken it back to the Premier League.”
Ex-United striker Owen agreed and suggested the 25-year-old has renewed vision of himself. He added: “I think the World Cup was a difference-maker for him. He’s come back not thinking he’s one of the best players around but one of the best players in the world after what he did. Doing it at that stage, you can’t fail but to have a lot of confidence and that’s been shown.”
Antonio also went on to hail Erik ten Hag’s influence on Rashford, who admitted earlier this season he is enjoying working under his new boss. Antonio explained: “Managers are key for players because the player needs to feel that he has that belief in him. Once the manager has that trust in you, you have that trust in yourself and have the confidence to go out there and feel free to play because you know whatever happens you’re ok.
“I don’t know what Ten Hag’s doing but I feel week-in week-out he's putting him out there, finding his position, coming back from the World Cup and performing.”
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