'I played with Marcus Rashford at Man Utd – I didn't think he'd make it for one reason'

A former Manchester United academy star has spoken of his surprise at Marcus Rashford's stellar career.

Rashford had a difficult time at Old Trafford earlier this season after being frozen out by head coach Ruben Amorim following his appointment in November. The forward is now showing signs of his old self after contributing three assists for Aston Villa since completing a loan move to the Midlands club at the end of the winter transfer window.

Despite his recent struggles, Rashford has enjoyed an impressive career since bursting onto the scene with United at the age of 18. He has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Premier League giants, winning five trophies in the process.

Rashford was earmarked as a superstar from an early age after joining United's youth system at just seven years old. However, one former academy teammate has revealed how he initially found it difficult to understand the hype surrounding him.

Ollie Rathbone, who now plies his trade for Wrexham in League One, came up through the ranks at the same time as the 60-cap England international. The midfielder said the reason for his doubts was due to Rashford's small stature, but he has since praised his achievements in football.

"Everyone seemed to know Marcus was going to make it, but he was like a baby until he was 15 or 16 and I couldn't really see it," Rathbone told The Guardian in 2019. "I couldn't believe such a little lad could possibly go up to first-team training and compete with the likes of Rio Ferdinand.

"But Marcus is tough and determined and in a short space of time he has grown into an incredible footballer and athlete. I know how hard he has worked and the pressure he works under, but I must admit he has handled it all brilliantly."

Rathbone has been in impressive form for Hollywood-owned Wrexham since joining from Rotherham United for £500,000 last summer. The 28-year-old has scored five goals in 27 league appearances for the Red Dragons, who are challenging for a third successive promotion under Phil Parkinson.

Rathbone spent eight years in United's academy in total and also previously played for Rochdale. He previously disclosed how it was the actions of former United manager Louis van Gaal which ultimately led to him leaving the club he joined at the age of eleven.

He said: "When the time came to step up from the academy to the reserves I was finding myself on the bench all the time. I only stuck it out for a year because basically I wasn’t getting a sniff.

"When Louis van Gaal was manager he would drop down Adnan Januzaj and Memphis Depay to play in the reserves and I was always the one to get pushed aside.

"I talked it over with my dad, then had a discussion with Warren and Nicky Butt. They said I could stay if I wished, but admitted they could not see a pathway for me to progress."

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