Phil Jones calls Man Utd team-mate ‘the best player in the world'

Cameron Smith

• 27 Feb 2023 09:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes his club team-mate Marcus Rashford is the "best player in the world" following his recent goal-scoring form.

Rashford, 25, has scored 25 goals and assisted a further nine in just 38 matches in all competitions this season, while he's netted 16 times in just 17 games since the World Cup break ended. He has also provided five assists in that time.

Jones, 31, remains a Man Utd player, but was not included in the club's Premier League squad for the 2022/23 season and hasn't featured for the Old Trafford side in all competition under Erik ten Hag.

READ: Manager of the year? Ten Hag's Man Utd miracle

The former England international was part of Sky Sports' punditry team for the 2023 Carabao Cup final between the Red Devils and Newcastle, and revealed his thoughts on Rashford's recent form before the game.

Man Utd eventually lifted the trophy after a 2-0 win. Rashford scored the second.

READ: Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham on high alert as Raya turns down Brentford contract offer

What did Jones say?

When asked what has changed about Rashford this season, Jones replied: "I think his maturity. He came back from the World Cup having probably not started as many games as he would've liked. He's knuckled down, he's got on with it. He's become sharper, stronger and we've seen that in his performances this season.

"I think defenders find it really hard to cope with him as he can take it one way or take it the other way. He scores goals from outside the box and inside the box, and he's scored a few headers lately as well. He's hit heights than even he probably didn't think he was going to get to and he's been brilliant. On current form, he's probably the best player in the world."

"He's strengthened in the gym and he's worked really hard on himself. I'm delighted for him, he deserves it."