Marcus Rashford is reportedly ready to end months of speculation around his Manchester United future by penning a new deal at the club. The England international’s current deal runs out next summer, with the club having an option of extending it by another 12 months. But since United hadn’t triggered that clause, it was being expected this would be Rashford’s final season at Old Trafford.
However, the equation has changed now after the arrival of Erik ten Hag, United’s new manager who took charge at the start of the season. And after a torrid start to the new season which saw the Red Devils lose their first two league games of the season, they are finally finding some consistency. Furthermore, the Dutchman has improved a lot of players at the club, with Rashford one of those. There were rumours as well of the 25-year-old’s relations with his boyhood club sustaining a dent, but it seems the air is about to be cleared.
Marcus Rashford reveals there has been a complete turnaround in his situation at United
Marcus Rashford was unable to compete at the highest level last season, after he suffered a recurring shoulder injury, alongside some muscle issues. He managed only 5 goals in 32 games last term, and was reportedly unhappy with the club bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo. Rashford has often been deployed as a left-winger than a center-forward, a position he likes to play in. Ronaldo’s arrival meant the club legend will play through the middle, with Rashford having to settle in on left.
Though he denied such reports, it was evident he failed to find his feet with the 37-year-old in full flow. The injury, coupled with such dressing room unsettlements had Rashford almost on the verge of quitting Old Trafford. But fast forward 12 months, and the 46-times-capped England player has scored his 100th Man United goal against West Ham in the Premier League, helping his side to all three points. Speaking after the game, an elevated Rashford said:
“To be honest, there is a completely different energy around the whole club, the training ground and that puts me in a better head space — I feel really motivated now. I struggled at times last season — more mental things, not my own performance. It was other things off the pitch. Too often last season I wasn’t in the right head space. I need to be scoring a few more headers. For me it is about getting in the areas and goals will come.”
The forward is feeling ‘different energy’ at the club, all thanks to Erik ten Hag. The new manager has taken the youngster under his wings and has been developing him into an elite striker. Courtesy of Rashford and Ten Hag striking a brilliant chord, the No. 10 has already surpassed his last season’s goal tally by netting 7 in 12 games this term, and is United’s top scorer so far for the 22/23 season.
And happy with his performance, United are now readying a new contract for their academy product. the Red Devils are planning to tie down Marcus Rashford to a long term deal now, with the 25-year-old too happy at the club. United already repelled immense interest from a number of clubs this summer for their prized asset, with PSG the most notable name. The Parisians at any costs wanted to bring in a striker and identified the United forward as their top target.
However, Ten Hag’s side demanded a whopping £120 million for the 25-year-old which all but ended PSG’s interest. Now, the record Premier League winners are prepping their own offer to table in front of the in-form attacker, as they plan to seal it before the end of the season. On the other hand, Rashford will be free as well to negotiate with potential suitors in January for a free transfer in the subsequent summer transfer window. But United surely can’t afford to lose two of their best forwards, with Ronaldo expected to leave in the winter, or summer market next year.