As Manchester United’s new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS begins, another could be ending.
Despite being fixture in the United attack since his explosive debut against Arsenal in 2016, making 399 appearances and scoring 131 goals, a Rashford transfer is now on the cards, for the right price.
Potential Rashford transfer part of 12 man clearout
Last week, the Red Devils appointed former Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox, and the new man has wasted no time in assessing the United squad.
According to the Daily Mirror, 12 players have been deemed surplus to requirements.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire will be allowed to leave the United back four.
In midfield, United will look to move on from Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, and Sofyan Amrabat will return to Fiorentina after an underwhelming loan.
In attack, the club will seek to cut their losses on £85m flop Antony, try to find a permanent home for outcast Jadon Sancho and allow Anthony Martial to leave.
But the biggest headline is that talisman Rashford could be allowed to leave, for the right price.
Paris Saint-Germain have previously been preparing a £75m bid for Rashford, and with a Kylian Mbappe-shaped hole in Les Parisiens attack this summer, may make that approach formal.
Where has it gone wrong for Rashford this season?
Just under a year ago, Marcus Rashford was on top of the world. The Englishman looked to have fulfilled his promise, with a haul of 30 goals last season, with nine assists on top.
He had won the League Cup for United with his goals, and secured an impressive third-placed finish.
Fast forward to now, and Rashford, as well as his club, have endured a torrid season. The Englishman has mustered just eight goals and five assists this campaign.
Perhaps a big part of the new hierarchy’s decision to allow offers for the 26-year-old is that this is not the first time he has blown hot and cold.
After scoring 21 and assisting 13 in 2020/21, Rashford had a very quiet 2021/22, with just five goals and two assists. There is no doubting Rashford’s talent, and circumstances have not proven easy for him.
But with such wild inconsistency, there is a logic to wanting to cash in to fund United’s transfer wish list, which includes Jarrad Branthwaite.
