The extent of Ineos’ ruthless streak was on full display this week as Dan Ashworth was sent on his way just five months after joining Manchester United.
What seemed like ruthlessness towards only the club staff and the fans was now extending to the executive structure with only one branch remaining, the players.
That day looks to be finally coming as well and in the eyes of many Man Utd fans, it should have come first so it’s long overdue.
If recent reports are to be believed, the streak of ruthlessness has a United marquee man as its target as Ineos begin their own rebuild with a statement sale.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams third goal with team mate Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the Premier Lea...
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd open to Marcus Rashford transfer
Marcus Rashford, who matched his tally of goals last season within five games under Ruben Amorim (not a high bar to clear, understandably), is now under the scanner.
The Telegraph reports that United are now willing to listen to offers for Rashford after also being open to bids last summer but nothing materialising.
The club is concerned about his lifestyle and how that is affecting his focus on football which is no longer “where it should be”.
“Top offers” will be considered for him in January and their position will relax to find a buyer for him in an easier way next summer as they seek to get rid of his huge wages.
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Rashford is reportedly on wages near £300k/week and for those kinds of numbers, he should be producing a 20 goals+assists season every year.
Instead, the last season he exceeded that mark was in Erik ten Hag’s debut season when he was playing for a new contract, with the previous season a borderline embarrassment.
At 27, United might feel that the chance to cash in on Rashford could run out soon, and putting him on the market on the back of some good performances should do more benefit.
Rashford could be a sacrifice for FFP room
United’s forever flirting with the Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules line is no secret which is why last summer’s sale of more than £100 million was so crucial.
With Rashford’s status as an academy product plus his wages costing the club nearly £1.5 million every month, he stands out as an easy target to sell.
Not only will his sale be pure profit on the books, but it will also lift a huge burden off the wage bill because Ineos have been trying to realign it and spend more responsibly.
Under the new management, Bruno Fernandes is the only long-term player to have received an extension, with Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans being the other two.
That speaks to a level of financial management they intend to bring and with some negotiations coming up, like Amad, they need to set the scale right.
Rashford’s sale just makes sense from all perspectives.
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