For a name of Marcus Rashford’s stature to come out and proclaim he wants to leave Manchester United, the consequences could be seismic.
Clubs have a tight grip over what their players say and do in the public domain, so the manner of the revelation only added to the sense of drama that promises to unfold in the coming months.
Rashford spoke to one journalist at a promotional event held at a local school – a personal visit, not a club one, which meant United were only informed of the content of the quotes just before they were made public.
The mystery over what comes next is created purely because of the lack of obvious resolution.
A 27-year-old Manchester United player on £300,000-a-week who is seeking pastures new should, in theory, have his pick of the world’s elite. Few, however, come with so many complications.
Arsenal an ‘outside bet’
It was not so long ago Rashford was netting 30 goals in a season, so in the right place, he could replicate such form in the Premier League once more.
One source told The i Paper that Arsenal could be interested if the move was an “appealing one financially”, but they remain an “outside bet” due to those obstructive wages.
Money is clearly not a determining factor for Rashford. If it was, he would have kept quiet, operated on the Old Trafford periphery and taken home over £1m a month in salary alone.
Still, in the PSR-dominated modern world, few can even come close to matching what United laid out on the table after Rashford’s phenomenal 2022-23 campaign.
Rashford’s ability to play through the middle as well as out wide would appeal to Arsenal, who have been struggling for goals from open play of late. Central striking choices are especially limited. But if they cannot find a place for loanee Raheem Sterling, where would Rashford fit?
Otherwise, it would take United to lower any asking price to another Premier League club. There is no way he would defect to Manchester City or Liverpool and Chelsea do not need him. Tottenham are understood to have “closed any possible route” to north London.
Saudis keen – the player is less so
Several clubs in the Saudi Pro League are understood to be keen. As many as four, one source said. “He would be made a huge star here,” said another.
After a reasonably quiet summer Saudi transfer window, with much fewer marquee names arriving that the previous season, league clubs are being encouraged to “flex their muscles” ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Mohamed Salah, after years of trying, is the one they really want, but a new Liverpool deal looks likely. Rashford, however, has just the kind of world renown the league want.
The major stumbling block is a reluctance on the player’s side at this stage of his career. Rashford has actually improved this season and feels he’s much more to give.
Could he stay at Man Utd?
Ruben Amorim is certainly not going to wash his hands of Rashford. Quite the opposite, with the new boss encouraging the forward to change his mind.
Even if the player does not really fancy it, staying where he is very much a possibility due to the lack of alternatives.
Paris Saint-Germain, contrary to many reports, are not interested. Neither are Barcelona, who are on the way back to the top.
Rashford is United’s top goalscorer in the Premier League this season and had been a pivotal part of Amorim’s plans – until Sunday’s omission from the Manchester derby squad.
The major issue is his relationship with supporters. Few face the scrutiny and vitriol Rashford receives, and that is even from his own fans. Rashford has gone from local hero, with murals painted across the city depicting him as the ultimate role model, to being booed every time he is substituted.
Even with only 600 present at United’s 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League last week, the jeers from the away end were still audible.
There is concern that should he stay, the angst towards him will only intensify, especially now he has said he wants to leave.
Staying put may be forced upon him – and in fact would benefit nobody.
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