Carragher tips Rashford to beat Haaland for Player of the Year

Jamie Carragher has tipped Marcus Rashford to beat Erling Haaland for Player of the Year if Manchester United win the Carabao Cup.

The Liverpool legend, 45, also insisted the striker's current goalscoring form puts him on a par with Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.

The 25-year-old's brace against Leicester on Sunday took his total for the season to a career-best 24 goals, including 16 in his last 17 games.

Meanwhile, Haaland, 22, has scored 32 goals in 31 appearances since joining Manchester City.

'I am not for one second suggesting Rashford is a superior striker and footballer to Haaland. But the PFA Player of the Year vote is all about timing,' Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column.

He continued: 'Having been in a dressing room when the forms arrived to fill in, I can assure you no-one is thinking about who was the best player in September and October.

'It is the six weeks before the vote that is most influential, so if Rashford inspires United to victory over Newcastle United in Wembley's Carabao Cup final what might now be a 50-50 shout will edge in his favour.'

The former defender also described being worried about Rashford's links to Paris Saint-Germain last year.

But Carragher admitted his concerns were unjustified and even said the youngster could become United's record goalscorer, eclipsing Wayne Rooney's 253 goals.

The Red Devils will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

United came from behind to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Europa League after beating Barcelona 2-1 at a raucous Old Trafford.

Another entertaining clash between the two European superpowers saw United win the knockout play-off tie 4-3 on aggregate and secure their place in Friday's draw.

Barcelona went ahead in the 17th minute when Robert Lewandowski just managed to squeeze his penalty past David De Gea after Bruno Fernandes had pulled down Alejandro Balde in the box.

However, United turned the game around after half-time with Fred firing the teams level two minutes after the restart.

The all-action Brazilian drilled the ball into the bottom corner, before his compatriot Antony side-footed home the winner in the 73rd minute.

Barca are runaway leaders in LaLiga, which gives Erik ten Hag belief his side are a match for anyone in Europe.

'It was a magnificent night,' he said. 'I think it is brilliant when you can beat Barcelona, eight points ahead of Real Madrid in LaLiga and we have seen in this week Real Madrid playing.

'We have the potential to beat the big teams, we have shown we can beat City, we can beat Arsenal, we can beat Liverpool. If we do the right things, if we follow the rules, if we follow principles and show discipline and team spirit, I think this team can achieve a lot.

'You need a strategy to build that but also you need results to get that strong belief. I think this is another step because when you can beat Barcelona - one of the best teams in this moment in Europe - your belief can be really strong because then I think you are able to beat anyone.'