5 reasons why Marcus Rashford is more talented than Marco Asensio

Alright, I might just have signed a death warrant by writing this right after Marco Asensio scored a stunning goal against Las Palmas this past weekend, coupled with Marcus Rashford missing a sitter in Manchester United’s clash against Chelsea, but it is time we address some issues which have been rambling in my head for a long time.

Marco Asensio is a supremely talented player; there is no doubt about it. However, it seems as though there is a lot to be desired from his overall game. So far, his best games have been those where he has scored long-range efforts, but it is hard to pinpoint a match where he has been as influential as Isco or Modric in a playmaking role.

Marcus Rainsford, as raw as he might be, on the other hand, has shown more than just glimpses of his talents. It is no joke that a manager like Jose Mourinho – who is not really known for grooming youngsters – has placed his trust in the 20-year-old youngster.

So, here are 5 reasons as to why Marcus Rashford has more potential than Marco Asensio

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#5 More comfortable on the ball

The first thing we notice about Marcus Rashford is that he is not afraid to keep the ball at his feet and run around with it. It is not that Marco Asensio gets intimidated while having the ball in his possession, it is just that the former is better when it comes to carrying it with his feet, at pace.

One of Rashford’s strongest points is his ability to take on defenders and run at them without being afraid. The young forward zooms in from the wings and gives his immediate marker a hard task on the pitch.

However, while Asensio is no muck when it comes to controlling the ball, he doesn’t have that zing and pace like the young Englishman has.

#4 Lethal pace

Rashford has blazing pace

While it is true that pace alone can’t guarantee the quality of a player, it sure does give one an advantage over the other. I mean, the fact that Theo Walcott plays professionally for one of England’s upper-middle table clubs is a testament to how far one can get through pace – both figuratively and literally.

Not only does Rashford have good dribbling abilities, he also has the ability to run the extra mile in the same frame of time. In a recent interview, famous Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, said something that stands true even in the case of football.

He said that the difference between a great attempt and an easy catch is the ability to reach the ball a second earlier. Similarly, in football, speed can turn a lost cause to a wonderful cut-back that leads to a goal.

It was Gareth Bale’s speed and explosiveness that became Maicon’s undoing and which led him to become the most expensive Real Madrid player of all time. So, Marcus Rashford’s pace certainly does give him an advantage over the young Spaniard.

#3 Asensio's overall game has left a lot to be desired

Asensio scored a blinder against Las Palmas

When Marco Asensio scored that stunning goal against Barcelona in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, I found myself with mazy eyes and jaws almost touching the floor. The panache with which he executed it and the precision with which it went it truly left almost everyone speechless and with their hand on their heads.

The sheer disbelief in the looks of Mateo Kovacic right after the goal spoke volumes about how impressive it was. Apart from that, however, it is difficult to pinpoint where the former Espanyol loanee stands out.

So far, he has wowed the world with his long-range shooting ability. With the number of goals he has scored from long-range over the last year, it won’t be an exaggeration to claim that no-one hits it better from outside the box.

However, apart from that, it remains difficult to understand where his other qualities lie. He played a good game against Valencia without scoring a goal, which could give one hope that he does have something in him apart from those glorious long-rangers.

#2 Rashford is more of a team player

Rashford likes to bring his team-mates into play

While this might be a little harsh on the young Spaniard, his recent outings haven’t done him any favours in this regard. Last season, the former Mallorca starlet wouldn’t have been accused of being selfish.

This season, however, there is something different about him. Surely, those two goals against Barcelona over two games helped take his confidence sky-high, which is something we can witness in his game now.

However, there are often times when you realise that Asensio could have been more effective if he decided to pass instead of go for glory all by himself. It is of little wonder as to why Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a forlorn figure up top with Asensio and Isco playing around him.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford might have the forward’s instinct and does attempt to score goals, but he is also aware of his surroundings and is keen to help his team-mates more often than not. It is for this very reason as to why Jose Mourinho trusts him like he hasn’t done with any other young player in his career.

#1 Rashford is more intimidating

Asensio has been closed down well recently

So, here is a scenario: a quick and explosive player running at you with vengeance or a calm and composed player who is mostly dangerous with long-range shots – who would you be more afraid to face?

I know my choice and it is for this reason as to why I find Marcus Rashford’s presence as the more daunting one. He might only be 20, but he has already skinned quite a few experienced defenders who have been in this game for so long that their facial hair has turned white.

Marco Asensio, on the other hand, is a wonderful player by all means, but he is yet to ooze out the fear-factor like Marcus Rashford does. It seems as though defenders have found a way to stop the young Spaniard as they rarely allow him any space to shoot from 30 yards out.

This has left the 21-year-old a little stranded and his influence has waned over the last few games until the match against Las Palmas where he scored another blinder of a goal while on the run. However, Asensio offered little else for the rest of the match, and that is perhaps why Rashford is the more intimidating player.