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26th Feb 2017

Phil Neville reckons Manchester United have a player who can be as good as Antoine Griezmann

"He's got so much ability"

Robert Redmond

Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked with a summer transfer to Manchester United, and it’s easy to see why.

The Atletico Madrid forward has been in brilliant form in recent seasons, and was named the best player at Euro 2016 last summer.

Griezmann is being linked with a move to United at the end of the season, for a world record fee.

The Premier League club proved when they signed Paul Pogba in August that they are ready and willing to spend big money on players.

However, Phil Neville reckons United already have a player in their ranks who can be as good as Griezmann, and he’s a lot less expensive than the French striker.

The former United and Everton defender says Marcus Rashford could reach the same level as 25-year-old Griezmann in a couple of seasons.

“Marcus Rashford is good enough,” Neville said during an interview with The Times.

“Marcus will need challenging all the time because he’s got so much ability.

“You have got to be inspired by Griezmann [potentially] coming in. Marcus can be as good as Griezmann in two or three years’ time.”

Rashford has found first-team opportunities limited this season, due to the impressive form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, Neville claims that the Swedish striker, rather than being a rival for a starting spot, should be viewed as role model for Rashford, and Anthony Martial.

“You have to be inspired by playing with Zlatan,” Neville said.

“Anthony Martial is the same — he’s got the biggest opportunity to become one of the best Man United No. 9s if he grabs that opportunity.

“At the moment he’s only grabbed it with one hand — he needs to grab it with two. Martial and Marcus have to learn from [Ibrahimovic], who’s phenomenal.”

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