Alex Ferguson is giddy with excitement over Marcus Rashford’s massive potential

Manchester United fans must be wondering why the club didn't suffer a striker shortage earlier in the season, just so they could get to see more of Marcus Rashford.

The 18-year-old has been a revelation since breaking into the first team and already looks mature beyond his years, even if he's still not allowed change with the rest of the United first team. The teenager scored twice in his team's victory over Arsenal and added the winner against Manchester City less than a month later. Speaking to Sky Sports, former United manager Alex Ferguson feels Rashford could become a club legend.

"I think the future is good. Rashford is an example of what I think is Manchester United," he said. "They are the one club in England who will always identify a Rashford and give a young kid a chance – there is no better club in England at giving young kids a chance. Rashford is a sensation and one of the best in years."

Ferguson's assessment of United as the only team giving young players a chance may be disputed by some, and his praise of Rashford also included a defence of Louis van Gaal, saying the Dutchman has been unlucky with injuries during his tenure:

"It is dead easy to be critical. You have to be realistic about some things – the number of injuries he has had: Phil Jones has played only seven games this season, Ashley Young, [Antonio] Valencia, [Luke] Shaw, these are big losses. It doesn't matter which team you are, if you have players missing of that calibre it has to have an impact on the team. "You have to have some patience being a Manchester United fan and they have shown that over the years; in Matt Busby's time, in my time. For 150 years of history it is worth having a couple of years on the quiet side of success because they will always come back and come back strong."