In statements made during a meeting with Manchester United supporters in the Ambassadors' Lounge at Old Trafford ahead of the match against Roma, which were later leaked on social media, former Barcelona player Marcus Rashford, who is currently sidelined through injury, spoke highly of Lamine Yamal and stated that "if it wasn't to play for United, I didn't want to return to England."
Rashford admitted: "Before leaving Barça, I told Lamine Yamal that I had played alongside some very talented players, but he is above all of them." He explained to United supporters that "I have never seen a player of his age with so much talent. He is the closest anyone can come to Messi's level in recent years."
He insisted: "I have enormous faith in this boy's talent. If he goes on to win seven Ballon d'Or awards, I won't be surprised. He has finished second, third and eighth. And at what age? Just 19!"
Rashford also expressed his admiration for Messi, predicting that "he is an incredible player. We will probably never see another player in our lifetime with the complete genius that Leo possesses."
Nevertheless, he pointed out that Harry Kane deserved to win this year's Ballon d'Or: "He scored an unbelievable number of goals this year and provided an unbelievable number of assists. I sent him a text message the other day and told him he deserved it."
Explaining his decision after his spell at Aston Villa, Rashford said: "I realised one thing... I couldn't keep playing against United every season. If United wasn't an option, I told my agent to take me abroad. Don't send me to another Premier League club."
That is why he returned to Manchester United following his loan spell at Barcelona.
He also revealed separate conversations with Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick that convinced him to embark on a second spell at Old Trafford.
