Rashford: I looked up to Ronaldo after watching him play, but I always wanted to be myself

According to the Manchester Evening News, ahead of the match against Roma, Rashford interacted with Manchester United fans in a rare Q&A session.

Rashford met fans who had purchased a high-end hospitality package in the VIP lounge at Old Trafford. The package, costing around £2,500, included a seat in the row behind the Manchester United dugout, a meet-and-greet, a five-course meal, a "behind-the-scenes tour" and a live Q&A.

The package also gave fans access to a dedicated area to welcome the team as the bus arrived at Old Trafford. Manchester United's official website describes this hospitality service as their "luxury" matchday experience.

On Tuesday, Carrick did not select Rashford for the fourth consecutive match. The forward is currently recovering from hip and thigh injuries, which left him free to meet fans in the hospitality area.

Rashford has given few media interviews in recent years. This Q&A was his first public appearance since his loan spell at Barcelona ended last season and the club decided not to make the move permanent, leading to his return to Manchester United.

The player appeared relaxed during the Q&A. The host led the session at first before opening it up to questions from the audience.

Below is the full transcript of his appearance:

Host: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to introduce someone who clearly needs no introduction the moment he walks into the room, a fantastic Manchester United number nine. Everyone, Rashford. Now, Rashford has scored 138 goals for Manchester United, which is an incredible achievement. I've spoken to a lot of strikers, and many remember every single one of their goals. How good is your memory?

Rashford: I think I remember every goal, yes. I should.

Host: Do you keep a record of these goals at home?

Rashford: No. I originally thought my career at Manchester United would turn out completely differently. At first, I wanted to get as close as possible to Rooney's record, but things didn't go that way. But I definitely remember every goal I've scored.

Host: Of course, and you couldn't have had a better start. You scored twice against Arsenal at Old Trafford in your breakthrough season. After all those years in the academy, you must have felt a great deal at that moment?

Rashford: Even today, I can't really describe how I felt. It was like my life completely changed at that moment. A month before the game, I could still go to the arcade at Trafford Centre. We used to go to the arcade with friends after watching movies. It's these little things, and then the next time we wanted to go, it was completely impossible.

Host: It's certainly a huge sacrifice, isn't it? We as fans know you're playing for Manchester United, but a lot of things you and your friends used to enjoy have to be put aside for a while because you're now in the public eye, and the social media environment is completely different, of course. So there's a lot of pressure to be a role model.

Rashford: I don't feel it's pressure. At least for me, I can only explain it from my own experience. I'm just an ordinary kid from Manchester. To be honest, I haven't been on social media much since I was about 21, because in my opinion, there's more negativity than positivity there.

I don't want to talk too much about social media, because I know it's a lot of people's job. But as a player, 80% of the content on social media is meaningless. If you can keep the other 20% and still have fun with friends on it, then it's worth it. For me, I've enjoyed my entire journey at this club.

Of course, we all want to win as many trophies as possible. But we've won what we could win. Everyone has done their best throughout my time here, so I'm not someone who will leave with regrets. As long as I've given my all, I know everyone else has too.

Host: Well said. You've given us many great memories. Does anyone have a question for Rashford?

Fan: Has anyone you've shared the pitch with ever made you feel star-struck?

Rashford: Not star-struck, that's not my personality. I was shy as a kid, and I still am. I don't really like talking to people. So if I met anyone in person, I wouldn't feel "star-struck." I'm not the kind of kid who would ask idols questions.

I've seen them many times, but I've never been the one to ask for a photo or anything. I just listen to what they say to us kids and try to absorb everything like a sponge.

At the end of the day, I also have idols. Wayne Rooney was one, and then I watched Ronaldo play and started to look up to him too. So I have idols, but I never thought about becoming them, you know what I mean? I always wanted to be myself, absorbing some things from them and then achieving it in my own way.

Fan: Sorry about your injury, I hope it's getting better. The last time I saw you was when you played for England in the World Cup semi-final. How tough was that game?

Rashford: The semi-final was tough, but that's football. We played well in the first half. We contained their most dangerous players, and I think the midfield, especially, did a fantastic job. Then I think the game really started to change after the goal. You know, some decisions, and the players on the field.

It's a difficult, high-pressure game. You've just scored and you should keep pushing forward, but things didn't go that way. We became passive after scoring. You have to find a way to control the game, settle the rhythm again and keep pushing forward. I don't think we did that.

Fan: Do you think Messi's performances were key in the Ballon d'Or voting? Do you think he deserves to win it again?

Rashford: Yes, Messi is Messi, he's a genius. Well, I don't know, but it's not my job to rank him for the Ballon d'Or. For me, Messi is a genius, an incredible player. With his all-around talent, you probably won't see another one like him in our lifetime.

But of course, Kane won it this year. It's an individual award, and he scored an absurd number of goals and had an absurd number of assists this year. So in my opinion, he deserves to win it.

Fan: Did you talk about this award with Yamal in Barcelona?

Rashford: Yes, I talked to Yamal, not after the award ceremony, but before. Before I left Barcelona, I told him that I've played with some very, very talented players, but he's better than all of them. I've never seen a player his age with that much talent.

I've never said this to the media before, but in my opinion, he's the closest thing to Messi's level in recent years. That's just my opinion, but I truly believe in his talent. So yes, I texted him, just to let him know, listen, so far he's finished second, third and eighth.

To do all that at 19? We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with seven Ballon d'Ors.