Robin van Persie has advised Marcus Rashford against trying to copy anyone else, amid comparisons between the 22-year-old and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford has received plenty of praise for his recent performances, not least from his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who insists that the attacker has the potential to become a "top, top player".
Solskjaer has even mentioned Rashford in the same breath as United legend Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time in Manchester.
Van Persie has, however, warned the Red Devils talisman not to try and be "someone else", encouraging him to learn what he can from the best players in the game without imitating their style.
"I've seen so many players who want to be someone else, it doesn't work," the ex-United forward told Rashford during a feature interview for BT Sport .
"If you can learn bits and pieces, great. But don't try to emulate or copy people."
Van Persie went on to recall watching Dennis Bergkamp in training during his time at Arsenal and being inspired to improve his all-round game by a fellow Dutchman's brilliance on the ball.
He added: "With Dennis for example, I saw him doing one session where he did a passing drill with the younger players. He didn't make one mistake in 45 minutes, whereas I'd make 50 mistakes, sloppy mistakes.
"I had to change myself, the target was to be a top player. So along the way, you learn bits and pieces."
slm_km1
403
good advice..thou he was not copying,thou he is trying to have somethings which can help him develop....Practising Knuckle shots and Jumping height doesn't mean you copy someone but you are improving yourself using him as your inspiration...unless otherwise you copy movements with the ball .
EAsoft
315
This is the best advice because he should not even compare himself to Ronaldo and instead focus on being Marcus Rasford, a better player than Ronaldo and this is how he will grow healthy.. Comparing destroyes players sometimes
SH221B
160
Best version of yourself is somuch better than closest version of Someone. Be the best version of yourself and you will succeed 👍
mzeereal
148
He only considered Ronaldo has his idol. Actually van persie has a point but is normal for a young player to strong desire to be like Ronaldo who was once in same team as a legend .. but Rashford has been great so far
jbond007
12
Ronaldo spent few years in England and won 3 Epl!
and how many times barca have won the laliga and that tells what