Marcus Rashford was told long ago he was surplus to requirements at Man United (Image: Getty)
After two decades at , is all but certain to leave his boyhood club next year. The writing was on the wall last season when Rashford was effectively put on the transfer market.
It was then that rumours first started to emerge regarding a potential fire sale at Old Trafford. Years of mediocre performance and poor recruitment in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement led to a build-up of deadwood in the United dressing room.
Rashford, 27, is contracted to the club until the summer of 2028, but this week’s admission that he’s “ready for a new challenge” suggests an exit next year is close to inevitable. The attacker was seven when he first signed on with United, but a gradual decline in recent seasons appears to have soured the relationship between player and club.
reported in April 2024 that United were willing to listen to offers for almost every one of their players in the summer transfer window. That is except for three stars – but Rashford wasn’t one of them.
According to the report, , and were the trio of stars considered off-limits by the club. But even that number may have now shrunk.
That’s after Argentina international Garnacho was implicated as the from inside the dressing room. Garnacho was dropped for Sunday’s 2-1 derby victory away to and is now believed to be part of an investigation into the alleged leaks.
The forward has said he’s “ready for a new challenge” (Image: Getty)
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Rashford – who earns £300,000 a week at Old Trafford – was also dropped from Sunday’s squad and training at United’s Carrington facility just hours before the game. ‘s decision to exclude the forward is the latest indicator yet that he could be considered surplus to requirements.
The early signs were positive for Rashford under Amorim after he scored three goals across the Portuguese manager’s first two games in charge of the club. The player has seven goals in all competitions so far this season – just one off matching last season’s tally – but has been criticised by some fans for being wasteful in possession.
When it was first reported Rashford could be one of those put up for sale at United, it was specified the exit would be much more likely if the forward was willing to move. Now that he’s expressed his openness to leaving publicly, the wheels are sure to be in motion to part ways in 2025.
Rashford has scored 138 goals and recorded 63 assists in 426 appearances for United to date, winning two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League. But with both parties seemingly open to moving in new directions, United look set to jump at their chance and test the transfer waters by cashing in on his signature.