Marcus Rashford is no doubt about the test that awaits him in Portugal on Thursday when England play the Netherlands.
The Nations League semi-finals pits the two teams against each other in a competitive match for the first time since Euro ’96 – before the Manchester United striker was even born.
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Rashford has played against De Ligt at club and international level and believes he is one of the best defenders in the world right now
Rashford, though, played against the Dutch in the 1-0 friendly win in Amsterdam last March and will be well aware of how much the side have improved since then, believing the defence is particularly strong considering Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk are at its heart.
“De Ligt and Virgil are probably the best centre backs in the world right now,” he said. “We know how they defend. They like to be up [close] and behind you.
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“We want to get them facing their own goal. We have the players to do it. Pretty much every forward can do that, that’s what our game is about. If we can do that we know we can cause them problems.”
And despite that 1-0 win last time they met, Rashford believes the Netherlands are now a different side and he’s well aware of the threats Ronald Koeman’s side face.
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Rashford will be aiming to end his season on a high with England in the Nations League after a disappointing domestic one with Man United
“I can imagine they’ll have a lot of possession but they have that drive that causes problems up the middle,” Rashford said. “Look at Georginio Wijnaldum. When he’s in a Liverpool shirt he’s driving forward, he’s scoring goals, he’s creating opportunities. We’ll try and develop our game to stop them.”
It’s not just Rashford who believes the Dutch are blessed in defence either. Koeman himself has acknowledged the Netherlands have the two best centre-backs right now and says the duo are better than he was.
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“They are top, top players,” he said. “We have the best central defenders [in Europe] with De Ligt and Virgil. That’s great because you build the house, always, from downstairs. You don’t start with the roof.”
Earlier in the season, 19-year-old De Ligt, who has been linked with a move to United from Ajax, said Rashford was the best forward he has come up against.
“Great player, quick, technical skills,” the Ajax skipper noted.
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Wijnaldum and Van Dijk will be both be in action for the Netherlands against England, days after helping Liverpool win the Champions League
Van Dijk, along with Wijnaldum, has just helped Liverpool win the Champions League and the 27-year-old has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.
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