Marcus Rashford is copying Wayne Rooney to deliver what Rio Ferdinand wanted at Manchester United(PHOTOS)

Marcus Rashford scored again as Man Utd defeated Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

The biggest compliment to pay Marcus Rashford is that every time he takes to the pitch, he looks like he is going to score. Most of the time, he does.

Rashford netted his 19th goal of the season as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace on Saturday, as he once again came up with the goods when it mattered most.

The 24-year-old now has 11 goals in his last 13 games and has scored in all but three of the matches played since he returned from the World Cup with England.

In this run of games we have seen a full array of what Rashford has to offer, from his trademark sublime solo strikes to the scrappy and scruffy goals that define an elite-level striker.

While he still plays his best football from the left, where he can run at a full-back and cut inside onto his dominant right foot, a key part of his recent transformation has been his ruthless streak as a centre-forward.

It's easy to take for granted just how lethal Rashford has been from close range this season, but it is this transformation that has helped to raise his game to a new level and put him into the debate of being a world-class forward once again.

“I think this kid could definitely be world class if he keeps on improving," Rio Ferdinand predicted three years ago. "He needs to add a poacher’s element, a couple of scruffy goals a season.

“Wayne Rooney, when he signed for Manchester United, scored outrageous goals. He didn’t score the ugly goals but then he got that into his game. Marcus scores and creates fantastic goals as well. If he can get that ugly side... this kid can go on to be unbelievable.”

While the goal he scored against Crystal Palace on Saturday wasn't an ugly team goal, it was the type of finish that was rarely seen from Rashford in previous years, as he lurked in the penalty box like a true centre-forward.

There was also an element of Ruud van Nistelrooy in the way he played between the goalposts and pounced on Luke Shaw's low cross into the box, something that United have been missing this season with their striker shortage.

That is something that former United academy coach Paul McGuiness had urged the youngster to add to his game before he had even made his breakthrough into the first-team.

"Marcus can score all sorts of goals, but to be a goal-scorer you need more of the Ruud van Nistelrooy type of goals. If it hit the goalkeeper - there was Ruud. If it hit the bar, post, deflected - he was there. Marcus has got a bigger range, but he needs more of those.

Erik ten Hag would be wrong to try to change what makes Rashford such a dangerous winger, but he is correct to demand more from the forward in central areas.

With close work alongside former striker Benni McCarthy, the England international has rediscovered a gluttony for goals and is playing with the self-belief that he can get one against any opponent and in every single game.

Rashford, like Rooney and Van Nistelrooy in the past, is now stepping up to take responsibility for his team and posing a threat whenever he gets the ball.

Defenders will be terrified of seeing him take possession out wide given his direct dribbling ability, and they will be just as scared when he is lurking in the box awaiting any loose ball that comes his way.

Rashford is no longer just a scorer of great goals; he has turned into a great goal scorer too.