 "Marcus Rashford has endured a poor run of form for Manchester United recently. Reuters")
Manchester United could let go of one of their main players as the club is reportedly considering selling their forward Marcus Rashford. According to a report in The Telegraph, United were already open to selling the England international amid a poor run of form. In the 2023-24 season, Rashford managed to score just eight goals across all competitions. This is in sharp contrast to the 2022-23 season, when he had scored 30 goals.
This season, Rashford, who has started twice under Ruben Amorim, has netted just seven goals in 23 matches across all competitions. Captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho continue to keep their spots in the staring lineup, but it has not been the same for Rashford. More bad news for Rashford is the fact that Rasmus Hojlund appears to be Amorim’s first-choice striker.
One of the reasons United are reportedly considering selling Rashford is due to “disciplinary concerns”. In January, Rashford had been fined two weeks of his salary after he was spotted drinking in Belfast, two days before he had called in sick. Rashford was also benched for a Boxing Day fixture against Wolves in 2022 owing to “internal disciplinary” reasons.
Another reason why United are considering selling Rashford is de to the United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s intention to put United in a better position financially. The Daily Mail, meanwhile, has reported that United are ready to consider offers worth £40m for Rashford. Saudi Arabia and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly a couple of options should Rashford choose to play outside England.
What experts and fans have said on United possibly selling Rashford
Finance expert Adam Williams explained the impact United would have financially if they sell Rashford. “Ten Hag’s compensation, the cost of appointing Amorim, and the expenses associated with Dan Ashworth’s short time at Old Trafford have left them in an uncomfortable spot when it comes to PSR. You’ve also got the expenses associated with making hundreds of staff redundant,” Williams told United in Focus.
“If they sold Rashford, it would be an emotional departure, but it would more or less solve any Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) anxieties they might have overnight. As an academy graduate, his sale would count as what is known as ‘pure profit’. If they got, say, £60m for him, it would reduce their losses by exactly £60m," he added.
Quite a few fans too reacted to the news on social media.