Herrera wades in on “fantastic” Rashford and Ronaldo comparisons
Ander Herrera believes Marcus Rashford is a “fantastic” player for Manchester United but insists it would be wrong to compare the England international with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford, 24, is enjoying a good season at Old Trafford – scoring five goals and providing three assists in 10 outings. The Manchester-born forward appears to have regained his best form after a difficult 2021/22 campaign, which saw him find the net just five times.
Rashford has previously been tipped to follow in Ronaldo’s huge footsteps. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, is undoubtedly one of the greatest players ever to grace the game – winning seven league titles, five Champions Leagues and Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Ronaldo has struggled to get in United’s starting XI this season due to Rashford’s form. Former Red Devils midfielder Ander Herrera believes the veteran forward can help his young colleague develop his game but believes it would be unfair to compare the two.
Speaking to ESPN, Herrera said: “He [Rashford] makes a difference when he’s fit and when he’s in a good moment – and he has now the best teacher in the team, with the best example, with Cristiano. So, of course, but sometimes we are not fair with some players.
“We are not fair with Marcus or – I could give you more examples – with Vinicius [Junior] or with these kind of players. You cannot compare them with [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano because it’s like if the Spanish midfielders, we are compared with Xavi [Hernandez] and [Andres] Iniesta. We are going to lose [that comparison], of course.
“But you have to judge them individually. Marcus can be a fantastic player for Manchester United. He is, in fact, he has done some amazing things at the club. You cannot ask him to do what Cristiano has done during his career because that wouldn’t be fair.”
United boss Erik ten Hag remains unsure whether Rashford or Ronaldo will still be at Old Trafford this time next year. Both players are out of contract at the end of the season, although the Red Devils do have the option to extend Rashford’s deal by a further year.
United are expected to trigger that clause before the January transfer window, which will stop Rashford from negotiating a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club. Premier League players are eligible to do this in the final six months of their respective deals.
Rumours suggest United will offer Rashford a new long-term deal due to his good form. Triggering his one-year extension will allow them to negotiate a fresh contract during 2023. It’s unclear at this stage whether he will be part of England’s squad for the World Cup.
United are also able to extend Ronaldo’s contract by a further 12 months, although it’s unclear if they will do that considering his huge salary and advancing age. The Portuguese forward turns 38 in February and reportedly earns more than £500,000-a-week.
Ronaldo was keen to leave United in the summer due to their lack of Champions League football this season – and it’s fair to say he’s no longer Ten Hag’s talisman. The superstar hasn’t started a Premier League game since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August
