Solskjaer compares Rashford to Ronaldo as United draw Colchester

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Marcus Rashford to Cristiano Ronaldo after his winner for the club against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

United were 2-1 winners against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup after Rashford converted a penalty after Daniel James was brought down in the penalty area in the first half.

Michy Batshuayi equalised for Chelsea after a mistake from Harry Maguire, but Rashford was able to score a brilliant winner from a set piece in a free kick reminiscent of Ronaldo’s free kick technique.

That might explain why both Rashford and Ronaldo both have such poor conversion rates with free kicks, given their predilection for punting and hoping, but on this occasion it produced a shot that Willy Caballero had little chance of stopping.

Speaking to MUTV after the game - because it would have been impossible to comment before the game had taken place - Solskjaer said:

“It’s very Cristiano-like, isn’t it?

“The boy has got nerves of steel, takes a penalty no problem, steps up like he does and wins us the game.

“I think he works too much on it (his free-kick technique). I’ve always tried to get Marcus scoring simple tap-ins inside the box but he always scores great goals. He practises and today he got his reward.”

“He has great character, a great mentality,” Solskjaer continued. “I told him this morning ‘if we get a penalty, you take it’, just decide where you’re going to put it and hit it sweet as you like.”

Manchester United have been drawn against Colchester United in the quarter-final stages.