Manchester United Can’t Afford To Gamble With The Future Of Marcus Rashford

Not so long ago, Marcus Rashford’s future as a Manchester United player was uncertain. The forward struggled badly for form and fitness last season with some even suggesting a fresh start away from Old Trafford would be best for him at that stage of his career. A lot has changed for Rashford, though.

Rashford has netted 27 goals in all competitions for United this season with the 25-year-old now the face of Erik Ten Hag’s team. The attacker has taken a giant leap forward in his development over the last 12 months and is now considered among the best players in his position anywhere in European soccer.

It is therefore unsurprising that other clubs are interested in Rashford whose contract at Manchester United is set to expire at the end of next season. Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation and could make a move for Rashford if contract talks with United continue to stagnate.

Recent reporting has claimed discussions between Manchester United and Rashford are at an early stage. The 25-year-old is a boyhood fan of the Old Trafford club and it’s not yet time for United to panic over the possibility that their top scorer could leave for a rival club. The situation isn’t at that point.

However, Manchester United mustn’t be complacent in talks with Rashford. If Rashford is one of the best in the world at this moment in time, they must consider the possibility that he would be drawn to playing for one of the best teams in the world and United, in their current state of rebuild, aren’t at that level.

Of course, Rashford could help get them to that level. Ten Hag must build his attack around the England international. This summer transfer window will likely see a new centre forward arrive at Old Trafford, but Rashford will still embody the club in the way he plays the game. Rashford also provides a valuable connection between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stand.

United are still a work-in-progress under Ten Hag. They have made strides forward this season with the Old Trafford side on course to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League, but Arsenal and Manchester City are still setting the standard at the top of the Premier
PINC
League.

Ten Hag needs more players at Rashford’s level. He can’t afford to lose the England international at this stage of the development of his Manchester United team. Contract talks with the player must be handled carefully to avoid any calamity in losing him. Rashford should be the future of the Old Trafford team.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grahamruthven/2023/03/28/manchester-united-cant-afford-to-gamble-with-the-future-of-marcus-rashford/