Neither Giggs nor Beckham, Rashford names surprising Man Utd idol

Marcus Rashford has revealed that Rio Ferdinand was his first ever Manchester United idol — after he brushed past him in the canteen at Carrington.

Rashford has graduated from a United schoolboy scholar to a key player in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's current first team and was interviewed by former England striker Gary Lineker's Goalhanger Films about growing up at Old Trafford.

He was asked which United great he first idolised, with Ryan Giggs or David Beckham expected to be among the answers.

"I think Rio Ferdinand was one of the first ones," Rashford replied.

"In the canteen, I was just walking past and he was eating his breakfast. Little things like that, they can change you, especially as a young kid.

"It changes the way you think when you see professionals living that professional lifestyle that you've been working for, for your whole life."

Rashford also revealed he remains his own harshest critic and believes that's been the key to his recent dramatic improvement.

The United No.10 has scored 10 Premier League goals already this term, already surpassing his previous season totals, and spoke about his mentality.

"It's hard not to look forward, when you win a game you're always looking to the next one," he said. "So it's hard to stay happy. It's tough to get a balance.

"Whatever anybody says about me it's nothing worse than what I've said about myself. The people around you help.

"I'm very self-critical and that's my way of improving but my family give me that balance. If you find what works for you in terms of improvement as a young player, you can go as far as you want."