Marcus Rashford compared to ex-Man Utd striker Van Nistelrooy by Paul Scholes after his hat-trick

Paul Scholes lauded the finishing ability of Marcus Rashford on Wednesday night after the Manchester United striker came off the bench to score a brilliant hat-trick against RB Leipzig. 

After coming on for opening goalscorer Mason Greenwood in the 63rd minute, Rashford netted twice in four minutes with two composed finishes before sealing his treble in stoppage-time at Old Trafford. 

Rashford also scored the match-winner in last week’s victory against Paris Saint-Germain and after his first United hat-trick, ex-United midfielder Scholes was full of praise for the 22-year-old and compared him to a team-mate of old in the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Ruud van Nistelrooy.  

‘You come to expect this from him. I liked his ruthlessness tonight, you felt every time he went through he was not giving the keeper a chance,’ Scholes told BT Sport. 

‘His finishing has been questioned in the past, but tonight you’re looking at 25 goals from him if he keeps that attitude. 

‘That was like [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, you see him going through and you know he’s going to smash the ball into the corner.’ 

Rashford has actually earlier coughed up the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot, instead allowing strike partner Anthony Martial to convert the spot-kick that he had won. 

And another former United midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, insisted that moment spoke volumes about Rashford’s character and leadership in a time when he is making headlines both on and off the pitch.  

The Manchester United striker is fighting against child food poverty in the UK with his free school meals campaign – his petition reached over one million signatures a short time before kick-off on Wednesday. 

When asked about the penalty incident, Hargreaves said: ‘I love that – he’s looking out for his team-mates.

‘Marcus knows he’s gonna get his numbers, I love that. That’s being a great team-mate. 

‘That’s why he’s gonna be the captain because he thinks about everyone else.’ 

Rashford himself said on the incident: ‘There was a bit of discussion. I feel confident with Anthony taking them, so no problem. 

‘It’s about the next game now and it’s important to get three points in the league.’

United return to Old Trafford to play Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. 

Ex-United centre back Rio Ferdinand was also full of praise for Rashford following his explosive 27-minute cameo in Europe on Wednesday. 

‘He was head and shoulders above them,’ Ferdinand said. 

‘He made defenders we were marvelling about before the game look like school boys tonight. 

‘The only way I can explain his cameo is being in the playground at school and the six former plays with the first years and just bullies everyone.’