Carrick Hails Rashford's 'Fairytale' Rise At Manchester United

Michael Carrick has backed Marcus Rashford to cement his position in the Manchester United first team for an "awful long time" after his breakthrough season at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old has emerged as a key player for United since bursting onto the scene, scoring seven goals in his first 14 appearances for the club.

Rashford was a relatively unknown talent until he deputised for the injured Anthony Martial in United's Europa League last-32 time with Midtjylland in February.

Carrick has likened the youngster's rise to a "fairytale" and believes he has the capabilities to remain an important part of United's side for years to come.

Speaking exclusively to Soccer Saturday, Carrick; "It's a little bit of a fairytale in a way."

"If you have asked Marcus, he would have probably wanted to get himself into the U21s on a regular basis and taken it step by step. But he got thrown in after Anthony's injury and he has never looked back since.

"He seems to getting stronger, better and better, and he doesn't look out of place or as though he's is going to be a quick fix - he looks like he's got all the capabilities of being here for an awful long time."

United continue their push for the top four at home to title-chasing Leicester City on Super Sunday, with victory for the Foxes enough to secure them a maiden top-flight crown at the home of the 20-time champions of England.

Louis van Gaal's side head into the game fresh from sealing their place in a first FA Cup final in nine years, following Saturday's last-gasp semi-final triumph over Everton.

"We are on a little run of wins which is nice," Carrick added. "At the end of the day that is what it comes down to.

"At times this season we have played well - at Leicester for example - and we didn't win the game although we thought we deserved to win.

"It's about winning the games, though, there are times throughout the season when results haven't always shown the performance but it works both ways, we've won when we haven't been very good as well.

"At this stage it's about winning and picking up points and finishing the season as strong as we can."

Victory on Sunday, while halting Leicester's title charge, would see United stay in touch with Manchester City and Arsenal in the race for European qualification.

Carrick admits a club of Manchester United's stature should not be celebrating finishing in the top four, but it is still something he would like to achieve.

"Certainly, if you win the FA Cup then winning the cup in its own right is a success," the midfielder said. "We haven't won that for a long time.

"I don't think as a club we can be celebrating finishing fourth but, if we get into fourth, it gives us something to go for next season. That is how I see it."

Credit: Skysports.com