Rio Ferdinand hails Marcus Rashford’s stunning return to England form after two-goal Wales outing

Rio Ferdinand believes Marcus Rashford has been able to rediscover his world-class form after returning to the ‘fundamentals of football’ after a tumultuous 21/22 season.

Rashford shone on the world stage with a stunning two-goal performance against Wales in the World Cup on Tuesday evening as England’s safe passage to the last 16 of the tournament was confirmed.

The 25-year-old marked his first national team start since Euro 2020 with a brilliant display in the Middle East as he opened the scoring with a powerful free-kick in the opening minutes of the second half.

Marcus Rashford marked his return to the England line-up with a stunning performance

Rasford was named man of the match after scoring twice against Wales at the World Cup on Tuesday evening

He rounded off a superb individual performance assisting Phil Foden to score his second goal of the game as England scored their 100th World Cup goal. Rashford deservedly accepted the Man of the Match award after the proceedings were completed.

Rashford celebrates after the opening goal against Wales

Former England and Manchester United defender, Ferdinand praised the Manchester-born winger for focusing on the starting line-up and becoming a ‘game changer’ as Rashford proved his worth to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

“I think this all came from one element, hard work at the grassroots level. He hasn’t looked happy for a while, when you have a smiling Marcus Rashford he’s a devastating player and a game changer,” Ferdinand said on BBC One.

“One on one he looks scary, he can finish it. It all came from doing the basics of football: hard work and graphing. Big players in this tournament will be amazed by Marcus Rashford.

His two-goal performance at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium saw Rashford take his good form at club level with Man United – where he has scored eight goals this season – to the international scene, as England pushed through against a lackluster Welsh side.

Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, echoed similar sentiments in his post-match goal analysis, when he praised Rashford’s ‘superb free-kick’ and stressed that his outstanding performance has given Southgate options in attack.

Rashford (right) assisted Phil Foden (left) in Man City’s first World Cup goal

Rashford took his second of the night with a powerful blow into a packed box

“It was a beautiful shot, I sat here and said hit the goalkeeper’s side. The keeper is at fault here, it’s a beautiful shot.

The Man United and England winger (left) is the joint top goalscorer of the World Cup in Qatar

Rio Ferdinand praised Rashford’s performance after returning to ‘football fundamentals’

“It’s no use having a wall if you don’t trust it. Very good from Marcus but the keeper should be able to do better.

Saka, Sterling, Grealish, so many options for the manager. If you get the chance you should go out and perform and he did. Great for us and fans,” Shearer added.