According to reports, Arsenal have registered their interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. The Gunners are on the lookout for two marquee signings in the forward line and the 24-year-old winger has been identified as one of the leading targets.
Mikel Arteta would have no complaints when the summer transfer window opens as Kroenke and Edu seem to be pushing heavily for reinforcements, especially marquee reinforcements for the Gunners’ frontline.
In the past week, the club have been linked with multiple players such as Roma’s Tammy Abraham, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and PSV forward Cody Gakpo. With a high-profile shortlist already in hand, the North London side are now setting its sights on a frazzled Marcus Rashford.
Few months back, it was reported that Arsenal are looking to make a move for Manchester United sensation Marcus Rashford. Now, according to Football Insider, the Gunners are apparently setting aside more than £45million from their transfer budget to spend on the English forward.
Marcus Rashford has made 303 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 93 goals and assisting 57 times so far in his football career (stats via Transfermarkt). The Manchester-born and bred winger was also pivotal during the lockdown in 2020. He contributed immensely by providing meals to kids across the UK and pushing the government to make certain policy changes to end child hunger and poverty.
However, the scenario seem to have changed. He has gone from being the star of the show at Old Trafford in the previous seasons to becoming a fringe player in this current United outfit. The 24-year-old has scored just 5 goals across all competitions this season in 32 appearances. A stark and undeniably unwelcome change compared to his 21 goals and 15 assists the previous year.
Apart from spending most of his time on the bench, the Englishman has had to play out wide, upfront, and in a variety of other positions this season. The current United side usually features the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga over Rashford, and understandably so. The forward has struggled to find his footing under Rangnick’s system.
Marcus Rashford is considering his future. He's concerned about his lack of game time, source close to Man Utd forward tell me – he's always been professional but he wants clarity. 🔴🏴 #MUFC
His current Manchester United deal runs out in June 2023. pic.twitter.com/nYOvGld4W0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 7, 2022
Meanwhile, having lost Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in January and seeing attacking duo Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah run out of contract at the end of the season, the North London side are in dire need of forwards who can slot right into Arteta’s system.
Rashford, already possessing the experience of playing in the Premier League, can prove to be a huge boost to the Gunners. Having fallen out of favour with Rangnick and under threat of becoming a fringe player under future manager Erik ten Hag, the upcoming transfer window can be the ideal opportunity for the Englishman to make his exit from the Theatre of Dreams.
Rashford is not a number 9. He is, however, a proven Premier League goalscorer who can slot in anywhere in the three forward positions. His lightning pace, twinkle-toes on the wing, and an eye for goal from far out are traits a manager would be delighted with, and if Marcus does decide to leave, Arteta would surely have a serious baller in his hands.
On the other hand, perhaps leaving United for Arsenal might not be the best idea for Marcus Rashford. An ageing Cristiano might not be able to play the full-90 or even consecutive games in a congested fixture list at times. Pair that with Edinson Cavani leaving at the end of the season, and United will suffer from a volume deficit in their striking positions.
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Perhaps under Ten Hag’s tutelage, Marcus might be able to find a way back into the first-team if he keeps his head down and provide reassuring performances consistently. No Man United fan would be happy to see the academy graduate leave for their direct Premier League rivals, perhaps neither would Marcus.
Ten Hag is known to utilise every single player available to him to their fullest, and maybe his arrival might bring in a breath of fresh air which a lot of the players in the club might need. But then again, a lot of Rashford’s future depends heavily on these “maybes” and “perhaps,” which is never as good as a “definitely,” and if playtime concerns the Englishman, making a move to a different club is completely reasonable.
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