Darren Bent believes Rashford is 'NOT a world class footballer' compared to Saka

Darren Bent has said that he does 'not believe Marcus Rashford is a world class footballer' insisting that 'he lacks consistency compared to Arsenal star Bukayo Saka'.

Rashford scored 30 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions for Manchester United last season, being ranked as the club's top goals scorer during the 2022-23 campaign.

His stats after the opening five games of the new Premier League season, mirror those at the beginning of the previous campaign, with the winger having recorded one goal and one assist in his first five league appearances.

His first goal came in United's 3-1 loss to Arsenal at the beginning of the month, a  defeat that compounded what's been an underwhelming start for Erik ten Hag's side, with United dropping to 13 in the table having now lost three matches.

Former Tottenham, Aston Villa and Fulham centre-forward, Bent, has offered his opinion on Rashford's recent form, dismissing claims that the winger is 'world class' stating that he 'goes missing too often'.

'We saw Rashford have a purple patch after the weekend where he was unstoppable,' he said to talkSPORT

'But too often over the last two years, he'd have a period where he's hot and then goes missing. Goes hot and then goes missing.

'You need someone who's consistent. So when people talk about world class - not for me. No way.'

In 364 senior appearances for the club, the United academy graduate has returned 124 goals and 69 assists.

At the start of the season, Rashford revealed he had set his sights on breaking Wayne Rooney's all time Manchester United goal record (253) after putting pen to paper on a new £300,000-per-week contract with United.

'Hopefully I will [break Wayne Rooney's all-time United goal record],' Rashford said.

'You