Marcus Rashford has branded the EFL Cup "massively important" for Manchester United, with the club booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition on Wednesday night.

Goals from Christian Eriksen and Rashford handed the Red Devils a 2-0 victory over Championship leaders Burnley at Old Trafford to advance in the competition.

Man United have not won a trophy since 2017, lifting the EFL Cup before triumphing in the Europa League.

This tournament could represent the team's best chance of silverware this term, and Rashford has said that triumphing in the competition would be a huge step in the right direction under new head coach Erik ten Hag.

"It's massively important for us because when we last won it, it just pushed us," he told MUTV.

"We were chasing that feeling again, it does a whole lot for your confidence and the desire to keep winning. It will be massive for us to try and win that and all the players and staff are giving everything to do that."

Rashford was in action for England at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three times for the Three Lions, who were knocked out of the competition by France.

However, the forward has spoken of the importance of putting international matters aside in order to now fully concentrate on club matters once again.

"I had a little break, I think you need it more for the emotional side of things because it's such a low being kicked out of any tournament. You have to pick yourself up because there's no time to feel sorry for yourself and come back with your head down," he added.

"If we lose the game today then we miss out on an opportunity to win a trophy so it's massively important that you come back in and try to be as positive as you can be.

"If you're not quite doing that then the lads that haven't been away, they have to lift you up and that's what it's been like since I've been in the last couple of days."

Rashford has been in strong form for Man United during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring nine goals and registering three assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.

There has recently been speculation surrounding his future, although it is believed that the Red Devils have activated a 12-month extension to take him until June 2024.

The club will now work on a long-term agreement with the academy product in a bid to tie him to the club for the foreseeable future. body check tags ::