‘Prime Danny Welbeck was better than prime Marcus Rashford’

Darren Bent has said he’d take Danny Welbeck over Marcus Rashford, leaving talkSPORT co-host Andy Goldstein stunned.

Bent, one of just 33 members of the Premier League’s 100-goal club, made the audacious claim amid debate over Rashford’s World Cup spot.

The Manchester United forward has seemingly overcome a worrying dip in form, looking revitalised under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Rashford already has three goals and two assists in seven Premier League games this season, putting him just a goal from his 2021/22 total.

That’s seen the 24-year-old re-enter the debate over a spot at the 2022 World Cup, having been dropped from Gareth Southgate’s squad following Euro 2020.

Now back on form there’s hope he can rediscover his best level, but that peak won’t be as good as fellow Manchester-born striker Welbeck.

“I’d still take Welbeck, I still would,” Bent said.

“Benty you know these cameras pick this up and it goes out on social media?” Goldstein replied.

“You’re the only person on the planet that would take Welbeck over Rashford.

“I’m speechless, you think a great Danny Welbeck is better than a great Marcus Rashford?”

Bent replied: “Not now, that’s obviously the difference, but we were talking about in their pomp.

“Yes, Welbeck in his pomp was better.”

Welbeck is currently plying his trade for Brighton, and is in his third season at the club having scored 12 goals in 56 games.

Like Rashford, the striker also broke through the team’s academy before stints at Watford and Arsenal.

Unlike Rashford, he’s a Premier League winner, and managed to force his way into a line-up featuring club greats such as Wayne Rooney.

However, Rashford is back on form, and can be a certainty for England if he keeps it going.

Asked if Rashford will be on the plane to Qatar if he keeps his current level, Bent said: “He has to be.

“He looks confident again, he looks direct, he’s not complicating his game, he’s doing the basics well.

“Scoring goals, assisting, and he’s been a problem as well, he’s making an impact whether it’s from the bench or starting.”