Rio Ferdinand names Manchester United player who brings the best out of Marcus Rashford

Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has underlined the role played by Wout Weghorst in allowing Marcus Rashford to shine at Old Trafford this season.

Before kick-off against West Ham on Sunday night Rashford had scored 29 goals in all competitions for United. Weghorst, meanwhile, has only found the net twice following his January loan move from Burnley and United will not attempt to sign him permanently when the market reopens.

However, after being recalled to the starting XI at the London Stadium with Anthony Martial dropping to the bench, Weghorst was pinpointed by Ferdinand as a significant factor in how Rashford has gone to another level since the World Cup break. However, he also called on the Netherlands international to net more goals himself in order to help rubber-stamp Champions League qualification.

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BT Sport pundit Ferdinand said: "He gives them a focal point in terms of someone to play into. I think the best part of his game is bringing other people in and he can be a platform at times.

"I think Rashford enjoys playing with him. In the starts that he's had Rashford has got 11 goals.

"People look as a centre-forward and say his [goals] record isn't great, but that's not necessarily what Ten Hag has got him there for. I'd like to see an improvement in his goal return.

"That's what he really needs to put into play to give Manchester United a chance to kick on and really get the top-four spot delivered."

With top-four rivals Liverpool winning their last six matches to keep up the pressure, United need nine points from their remaining five games to rubber-stamp Champions League qualification. After facing West Ham they have fixtures against Wolves,