According to reports in England, Manchester United are looking to tie down first-team player Marcus Rashford to a new long-term contract in the coming months. The English striker’s current deal runs out in June of next year, after which he will be a free agent.
Rashford has made an impressive start to the 2022-23 season under new manager Erik ten Hag. He has 7 goals and 3 assists in 16 games so far. In comparison, Rashford had just 5 goals and 2 assists across 32 games last season (stats via Transfermarkt).
As reported by The Express, Manchester United are planning to bind Marcus Rashford to a new five-year contract before his deal expires next summer. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fred, David de Gea and Luke Shaw also have contracts expiring in 2023.
Last season, the winger was sidelined from the first-team by then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to poor form. The 25-year-old has regained his form this season under Ten Hag and has become a crucial part of the manager’s plans going forward.
Erik ten Hag has reaffirmed his desire to retain Marcus Rashford. The Dutchman has reinstituted the English forward into a central position. The support of two wingers and Bruno Fernandes as a playmaker has allowed Rashford to thrive in United’s new set-up.
Man United are reportedly desperate to extend Marcus Rashford's contract – but have a back up plan if they fail to do so pic.twitter.com/V0cyzXWOhh
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) November 2, 2022
Erik ten Hag spoke about Rashford’s contractual situation:
“I don’t think he is out of contract [in the summer], I think United control the situation.”
“Once again it is difficult for me to talk about the past. But what I see: I see a happy Marcus Rashford and I see some phases in his game that we could improve. And we worked really hard in the last two-and-a-half months with him on different aspects.”
“He likes it, and he wants to transfer it to the pitch, and that is what you see in this moment… He is coming here every day, he really enjoys it, he’s really smiling.”
The former Ajax boss gave reference to a clause present in most of United’s player contracts. The club have the option to trigger a one-year extension in Rashford’s contract. This would keep the player at Old Trafford until 2024.
However, there is a sense of urgency at United to trigger the clause, as PSG and Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in signing the England international. And if United fail to agree to a new contract by December, Rashford can start negotiations and reach a pre-contract agreement with other clubs.
Read More:
- A Faulty Performance Exposes the Inconsistencies in Defence | Players Ratings From Aston Villa vs United Game
- Man United Begin Talks for New Contract With £25m Rated Defender as Potential Suitors Close in
- What Positions do Manchester United Still Require Reinforcements in?
The 25-year-old currently earns a reported £200,000 a week at Old Trafford. This is significantly less than the likes of David de Gea and fellow English star Jadon Sancho who earn around £350,000 a week.
The Englishman has merited a contract extension due to his fiery start to the season. As many fans have been quick to point out, it seems highly unlikely that the 25-year-old’s future lies outside of Old Trafford. He has been a die-hard United fan, and loyal to the badge from the start.
It seems a question of when, and not if, Marcus Rashford will sign a new contract with Manchester United.
Follow AD for the Latest Transfer Updates for Manchester United.
