Zlatan Ibrahimovic will get more goals than Marcus Rashford but the Manchester United team benefits more with the 19-year-old up front, according to Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen.
Rashford netted a superb free-kick for United in their match with Celta Vigo to give the Red Devils a 1-0 advantage in their Europa League semi-final against the Spanish side.
The teenage striker has proven himself to be an excellent attacker for Jose Mourinho although there had been concerns that Ibrahimovic’s arrival last summer would stifle his development.
Former United stars Ferdinand and Owen believe that the two quality attackers bring a different style of leading the line to United, with the experienced Swede a top goalscorer but not one to link the play.
The duo agree that United teammates would rather play with Rashford up front as he gives the midfield options while bringing the rest of the squad into the game.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match Ferdinand said: “There’s a contrast between him and Zlatan.
“Having Zlatan in the team you’ve got them 20-odd goals this season. But in terms of giving you all-round performance, hustling and bustling defenders, running in behind and stretching teams, Zlatan doesn’t do that. He’s not at an age where he can do that.
“This kid does. He gives you something extra and midfielders really appreciate that.”
Owen added: “I think if you asked his teammates they’d probably prefer to play with Rashford up front because he gives them options.
“Zlatan will probably always score a few more goals than Rashford, if they both started every week, but the team would score a lot more with Rashford in.”
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