Marcus Rashford cools Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons

Marcus Rashford says he is very flattered that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has compared him to club legend Cristiano Ronaldo but the Manchester United forward acknowledges that he still had a way to go to reach those heights. Rashford was compared to Ronaldo by the Norwegian coach after playing a key role in United's 2-1 Premier League win over Manchester City last week. But while happy with such comparions, the 22-year-old said he needed to improve to match the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Rashford keeping his feet on the ground

"The Ronaldo thing was nice, definitely a compliment," Rashford told BBC Sport. "But I understand how far I've got left to go to reach the heights he reached so I am very clear-minded and focused on myself."

Rashford came through the academy at United and has already made 191 senior appearances for the Premier League giants, scoring 58 goals. The forward has a painting on the walls at Carrington after coming through the youth system and Rashford said he knew the responsibility he held.

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Coming through the youth academy at Manchester United

"It is a bit overwhelming but it is the process of development. The players I looked up to are obviously older now. The younger players look up to us," he said. "The transition happens so fast. When I understood that, my perception of that picture changed a little bit. When I was younger and saw people such as [David] Beckham and [Paul] Scholes on the walls, it gave me that determination every time you went to training. I wanted to reach those heights. I knew they were on the other side of the building, training every day and working hard. I was so far away from them but so close at the same time. It's happening now where people like me and Scotty [McTominay] are an example to some of the academy lads who are coming in. It will be the same in a few years' time, when it's the next lot of kids. While that happens, I don't see United's breeding of players slowing down."