Marcus Rashford went to the Euros as England’s boy wonder.

Less than two years later, he is ready to take the world stage in Russia, having come of age and ready for football’s biggest showpiece.

Rashford, who does not turn 20 until the last day of this month, exudes so much confidence that it could easily be confused with arrogance.

But he was single-minded, full of self belief and did not even blink when asked whether he was England’s answer to France star Kylian Mbappe or Brazilian forward Neymar.

“It’s just the game and what happens now. It’s not in our control,” said Rashford. “You just get put in certain categories.

Rashford meets Sir Bobby Charlton at England training on Monday (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Rashford impressed during his Euro 2016 campaign with England (
Image:
Getty)

“It can be based on nationality, age, position. But it’s good to be put in that light with that category of players.”

Nothing fazed Rashford as he spoke to the media. His team mates see him as a ruthless finisher, single-minded and determined. He is blunt and to the point.

Maybe that’s a reflection of just how far he has come in such a short space of time, thrust into stardom in February 2016 when he was promoted from the bench to the starting line-up to answer a Manchester United injury crisis.

He was given just cameo roles at Euro 2016, a late substitute in the Iceland humiliation but, rather than see it as a valuable learning experience, he sees it as the biggest disappointment of his career.

Rashford has established himself as a regular for Manchester United (
Image:
Getty)
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“I’ll be honest with you, it is difficult to see it as a positive when you’re losing because in them games you don’t have the chance to get it back,” said Rashford.

“We went out before we’d expected to go out and before we obviously wanted to go out, so it was a disappointing end to the season for me.

“I think since then, as a group we’ve got a new manager, new staff. The players are gelling in a whole different way compared to what we were then. I think the set-up and the aim and vision of where we want to go is much better now than it was.”

It was clear that Rashford felt the previous regime under Roy Hodgson was lacking while Sam Allardyce dropped him from his one and only squad. Now things are different under Gareth Southgate.

Rashford says he is enjoying working with Southgate (
Image:
Reuters)
Rashford has flourished since being in the England set-up (
Image:
Michael Regan - The FA)

“Around the hotel, everyone feels comfortable and relaxed to be themselves. That’s something that I would say is different to last time. Everyone is being themselves and we’re starting to understand each other more,” he said.

“At internationals, you don’t get much time together to understand each other’s personalities and what they like to do outside. The more we understand each other, the better the results will be on the pitch.”

Rashford believes he is more mature now himself and ready for the World Cup as he has embraced greater responsibility.

“When you’re there, it’s all about winning,” he said. “In tournament football, it doesn’t matter how you win or how it looks to the people.

“Obviously if you win well, it’s better but if we went there and didn’t play our best football but came back with the trophy, we’d take it.

Rashford insists that he learned a lot while at the Euros in France (
Image:
Getty)
The 2010 World Cup was the first competition Rashford remembers vividly (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

“It’s step by step throughout everyone’s career. When you get older, you take more responsibility, you’re more of a leader.”

Frighteningly, the first World Cup that Rashford vividly remembers is 2010. Not surprisingly his heroes are Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Brazil star Ronaldo.

Rashford says even the 20 minute cameo role Real Madrid star Ronaldo had against United in the European Super Cup in August marked him down as the best player he has played against.

Ronaldo is known for his incredible free kicks, but Rashford is also taking more and clearly does not lack any confidence. So, has he taken any like Ronaldo yet?

“No, it’s actually a different technique. I can do it like he does it but I haven’t done it yet,” said Rashford.

If England’s mentality has been their downfall in previous tournaments, confidence and belief is not lacking in Rashford’s make-up.

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