Questions are now being raised about Marcus Rashford’s future as a rival sporting director mocks Manchester United’s fortunes this season.
Manchester United have two games left to play, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has several key decisions to make ahead of the summer.
The first decision involves Erik ten Hag’s future, which may already be determined regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final. Additionally, there are hopes to secure a deal for Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave.
The upcoming transfer window is expected to be busy, influenced by whether United secures European football for the next season. According to MEN Sport, only four players are considered exempt from sales: Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andre Onana.
This means United will consider offers for several senior players, including Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, and Marcus Rashford.
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has suggested that Rashford should leave United for both his own sake and the club’s. Despite scoring 30 goals last season, Rashford has found the net just eight times this season.
The attacker was seen clashing with a United supporter ahead of Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle, in which he started on the bench. Some sections of the fanbase are disgruntled with the 26-year-old.
In addition to his poor performances, Rashford was seen partying after October’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and was reprimanded by Ten Hag after a boozy night in Belfast in January. “I think he’s done,” Jordan said on the Three Up Front podcast.
“The problem with Marcus Rashford now is that well has been polluted. I think he has to move on as much for himself as potentially for Manchester United.” Rashford signed a new five-year deal with United last July.
Isaac Johnson of MEN Sport commented: “Despite his lack of form, Rashford’s exit would cause more problems than solutions. Unless a truly irresistible opportunity arrives, it would seem premature to let him go considering the current attacking options.
“Last season, he became the first United player in a decade to score 30 goals in a season and that shouldn’t be forgotten. A poor season, yes, but Rashford is not a poor player.
“It’s more likely that he exits due to his own wish, which is a possibility if Paris Saint-Germain comes calling, asking him to be Kylian Mbappe’s successor. Now, that would be a hard opportunity for the player to turn down.”
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has mocked Manchester United’s prospects for next season, suggesting they cannot offer what Juventus can. He dismissed the notion that key Juventus players would be interested in moving to Old Trafford.
United, facing the possibility of their worst-ever Premier League finish, risks missing out on European football and will definitely not be part of next season’s revamped Champions League.
United are seeking two center-backs this summer, and Gleison Bremer has been tentatively linked. However, Giuntoli laughed off the idea that Bremer and other important Juventus players would want to move to United given their current situation.
He told La Gazzetta Dello Sport: “Bremer, [Dusan] Vlahovic and [Andrea] Cambiaso are untouchable, the others can be reasoned with.”