Ex-Man Utd star singles out Marcus Rashford and claims 'you can easily get in trouble'

Former Manchester United academy graduate Will Fish has singled out Marcus Rashford as a player who doesn't get enough credit on the pitch.

Rashford has endured a difficult 12 months both on and off the field - something which culminated in the attacker being left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for the summer Euros.

The tournament snub did however give Rashford more time to prepare for the new season, which included a trip to the US for United's pre-season.

It was on that tour where Fish, a 21-year-old defender who recently joined Cardiff City, rubbed shoulders with the fan favourite.

And in a tell-all interview with The Athletic, Fish said: "I started United's pre-season on July 8. I changed with the under-21s but trained with the first team.

"What a step up, playing against lads like Marcus Rashford. People don't realise how good Marcus is. He gets criticism online but, trust me, when he's running at you one-v-one, you can easily get in trouble. He's sharp, fast; he can move the ball and put it into the top corner."

United fans will be hoping Fish's words ring true later on this season, with Rashford having once again struggled for form in the early part of the campaign.

Fish was one of several youngsters involved in the US tour this summer, but the former Stockport County loanee revealed being a fledgling member of the squad makes you more susceptible to being picked on.

On his relationship with the coaches, Fish added: "The standard of training is very high and coaches are more likely to get on at you as a young player rather than go for an experienced player. You don't want to be picked out for not being switched on.

"I'd been away for two years and the main building I was used to was under redevelopment. There were new staff: Ruud van Nistelrooy, who I thought was good. He took time to speak to me about football, to ask how I was."

But, Fish was quick to add that getting the chance to work alongside veteran centre-back Jonny Evans again was 'great' for his development this summer.

Commenting on the Champions League winner, Fish claimed: "He [Evans] was great for me. We play in the same position but we had both come through the United academy and went to the same school at Ashton on Mersey. My grades weren't as good as his but I did all right and got decent GCSEs.

"He's played so many games and holds himself to a high standard. He gave me little tips. He'd tell me about my positioning on the pitch. That helps so much."

Fish joined Cardiff on a permanent deal this summer, with United banking £1million for the Manchester-born ace's signature.