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Most of Manchester United’s summer dealings may be focused on signings after a deeply disappointing 2024/25 season, but outgoings are equally vital, not least because the club must balance the books. And no departure would shape this window more than that of Marcus Rashford.
Rashford spent the latter half of last season at Aston Villa on loan, having fallen out with Ruben Amorim not long after the Portuguese manager succeeded Erik ten Hag. Ironically, Rashford had burst out of the blocks under Amorim, netting the first goal of the new regime in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town and bagging a stunning brace in the 4-0 demolition of Everton soon after.
But for whatever reason, things quickly fell apart, and Rashford soon slipped down the pecking order before being all but frozen out of the squad. Despite training alongside his teammates, he was consistently overlooked on matchdays, leaving no doubt that he and Amorim were at odds.
There were suggestions that the pair clashed during a heated exchange at the training ground, with Amorim accusing Rashford of going out partying the night before – an allegation that angered the forward, who is said to have demanded evidence from his manager.
Questions over Rashford’s professionalism were a recurring theme under Ten Hag, but he often avoided serious repercussions, likely because the Dutchman, having already clashed with Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, couldn’t risk yet another high-profile bust-up.
But it seems Amorim wasn’t prepared to tolerate any more issues and made the tough call, even though it severely harmed United’s prospects for the remainder of the campaign. He later admitted that he couldn’t get Rashford to share his footballing vision or match the level of commitment required.
Fast forward to the present, and despite a brief revival at Villa, who chose not to sign him permanently even with his strong form, Rashford is back on the market and this time, United want him gone for good.
There has been no shortage of suitors, with the likes of AC Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Como, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, West Ham and Real Betis, all believed to be admirers of the Carrington academy graduate.
However, it’s an open secret that Rashford has his sights set on a move to Barcelona. He even admitted as much in a recent interview, saying he’d relish the chance to play alongside teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
But, his sizeable wages (exceeding £300,000 per week) combined with United’s £40 million price tag are proving to be major stumbling blocks. It’s still early in the window and there will almost certainly be more twists to come, but what’s clear is United’s firm resolve to move on from a player who now appears surplus to requirements, at least in Amorim’s eyes.
In this piece, I present an argument for why Amorim and United should seriously rethink ditching Rashford.
Proven star and a perfect fit for Amorim’s system
Rashford is undeniably a top-class player when at his best, with a proven track record that includes a 30-goal season in 2022/23 and an ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Rashford’s pace, goal-scoring instinct, and capacity to play either out wide or through the middle could align well with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, particularly in a left-sided attacking midfield role or as a striker.
His versatility is arguably one of his key assets, and it is reasonable to question whether United’s 2024/25 season might have been somewhat improved had he featured more, especially given the difficulties faced by Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Not convinced Rashford is a good fit for Amorim? Just ask the boss himself.
Amorim told the media in December, “What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford and the other players. I don’t talk about the future. I talk about the present.”
“I want to best of each of them. I just want to win and help the team to be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that’s simple and we try our best to push Marcus Rashford to the level he is at before.”
Lack of viable transfer alternatives
United are in the market for a new striker and had set their sights firmly on first-choice target Liam Delap, but the young forward snubbed the Red Devils and chose Chelsea instead.
United have been left scrambling to widen their search, but so far, nothing has materialised.
At €75m, Victor Osimhen is simply too expensive, and his wage demands are putting off potential suitors, including United. Then there’s Viktor Gyokeres, who also comes with a hefty price tag but, as a potential sweetener, is currently embroiled in a public dispute with Sporting CP over his transfer situation.
Other options like Benjamin Sesko and Moise Kean remain on the radar, but they’re either too costly or being pursued by rivals who can offer Champions League football or wages beyond what United are willing to pay.
However, if all other options fall through, United already have a solution in Rashford. As mentioned, he can lead the line to good effect and certainly knows how to find the back of the net. It would make far more sense to trust Rashford in this role than to gamble on another stop-gap signing or an unproven striker like Hojlund, only to end up right back in the same position United are in now.
Rashford’s qualities would mesh nicely with new recruit Matheus Cunha and soon-to-be Red Bryan Mbeumo. Together, the three could form one of the league’s most dangerous attacking trios, defined by their X-factor, blistering pace, power, and fluid positional interchanging.
Financial and strategic benefits
Given that Rashford is a homegrown player, any transfer fee generated would be recorded as pure profit under the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Yet United’s difficulties in securing buyers prepared to meet his £40m price tag and substantial wage demands imply that retaining him could be the more pragmatic choice.
Offloading him for a reduced fee or covering part of his wages in a loan arrangement could adversely affect United’s financial standing, particularly in light of their reported financial troubles.
Retaining Rashford mitigates these expenses while maintaining a valuable asset who has the potential to regain form and enhance his market value.
Chance for redemption
Despite his rift with Amorim, the United head coach has not entirely ruled out the possibility of Rashford returning and being reintegrated into the squad. Past examples demonstrate that player-manager disagreements can be overcome with patience and commitment.
Amorim said in January during a press conference, “Our team, you can look at our team and imagine the profile of the players. Now imagine a talent like Rashford. Our team should be so much better with Rashford. But this Rashford, he has to change.”
“If he changes, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford [in the squad]. And we need it. But in this moment, I think it’s really clear that we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Marcus, if he wants [to play] really really bad.”
Amorim likewise refuted claims that his relationship with Rashford is irreparably damaged.
“That’s the only thing. You tried to make like something personally, I have nothing against Marcus. I just have to make the same rules for everybody and that for me it’s so simple, it’s always the same answer.”
Should Rashford report for pre-season and demonstrate the professionalism Amorim expects, he could still reclaim his spot in the team and who’s to say he couldn’t become the main man again?
It’s also worth pointing out that neither Rashford nor his representatives have ever publicly spoken ill of the club or Amorim. This stands in stark contrast to Alejandro Garnacho, who, alongside his notorious brother, has become known for making petty and unwarranted jabs at teammates and the manager.
At the end of the day, who can resist a good redemption story?
Leadership and experience
At 27, Rashford is now one of United’s most experienced players, having made over 400 appearances for the club.
In the current squad, few understand United and what it means to wear the shirt better than Rashford, who has been part of the club since his formative years.
It’s clear, from the way they speak about him and interact on social media, that Rashford still has the support and backing of both his teammates and the youngsters in the academy.
United still have plenty of young players in the squad, and Rashford could play a key role in guiding them through this transitional period. One standout talent who could gain from his presence is Chido Obi, who is aiming to break into the senior side and establish himself under Amorim.
So, in conclusion, while United are actively looking to move Rashford on, there are clear benefits to keeping him and and it wouldn’t be the worst outcome if he stayed. More importantly, his continued presence means United aren’t under pressure to accept any underwhelming offers and they can negotiate on their own terms.
Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
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