Rashford has three goals in three games (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer believes England forward Marcus Rashford can go and win the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Manchester United star scored a sensational free kick five minutes into the second-half against Wales on Tuesday, doubling his tally 18 minutes later in a comfortable 3-0 win.

It took his tally to three goals having scored in the opening game against Iran, with his efforts coming in just 107 minutes of football having started on the bench in two of England’s three group games.

France star Kylian Mbappe and Cody Gakpo of Netherlands have also scored three in Qatar along with Ecuador’s Enner Valencia, who will be unable to add to that tally following his county’s elimination.

But England legend Shearer believes Rashford is now a legitimate contender for the competition’s top goal scorer.

‘They way they [England] pressed, the way they passed the ball, it was certainly a lot quicker and of course it helps when you get that first goal,’ Shearer told BBC. ‘It was a very impressive second-half performance.

‘Marcus Rashford, what a game he had, what a second half.

Rashford’s goals have come with just one starting appearance (Picture: Getty)

‘It just goes to show, he wasn’t in the team at the start of the tournament, he brings him on he scored and now he is joint top goal scorer in the World Cup and he is in with a great shout of winning the Golden Boot.’

Rashford has carried his impressive club form into the World Cup having struggled last season.

Former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand believes the 24-year-old has gone ‘back to basics’ to return to his top level.

’All of this stems from one element, working hard and getting back to basics,’ Ferdinand said.

‘He didn’t look happy for a while. When you have a smiling, hardworking Marcus Rashford, he is a devastating player and a game changer.

‘Every time he faced up the defender today, he looked scary. He has got the pace or imagination to pass you and he can finish.

‘It all stems from the basics of football graft and hard work which he kind of went away from last season.’

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