Marcus Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave Manchester United
Marcus Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave Manchester United
Marcus Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave Manchester United.
The 27-year-old was left out of the United squad to face Manchester City on Sunday and has since been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. And now, Rashford, who has scored just seven goals in 24 matches so far this season, has hinted he is going to depart United in the January transfer window.
"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Henry Winter quotes him as saying. "When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.
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"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me."
With this in mind, Manchester Evening News takes a look at five possible destinations for Rashford.
Tottenham
With Son Heung-min set to enter the final six months of his Tottenham contract, Rashford has been linked as a possible replacement for the Korean. Son has been one of Spurs' most consistent players across the last decade - scoring 168 goals in 426 appearances - but there is uncertainty over his future.
And Rashford could be an ideal successor to Son if the former Bayer Leverkusen forward leaves next summer. Rashford has scored six goals and grabbed one assist in 17 appearances against Spurs over the years. He, however, struggled during a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham back in October.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta could be tempted to dip into the transfer market to sign a new forward and Rashford could be an ideal signing. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have not been at their best for some time and strengthening that left-hand side, as well as adding someone that can also play through the middle, might be perfect.
Rashford would need to ensure he fits into Arsenal's style and system both on and off the pitch, but there is no doubt he has got the potential and ability to do so. The England international scored twice and grabbed one assist on his United Premier League debut against the Gunners back in February 2016.
PSG
A move abroad is also a very real possibility for Rashford. Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with Rashford in the past and he could move to Paris after Kylian Mbappe left to join Real Madrid in the summer. The French club have struggled to replace Mbappe since their talisman departed the Parc des Princes.
Rashford has an impressive record against PSG, scoring in three of his four meetings with the Ligue 1 champions. He could flourish playing away from the Premier League, too, and PSG might be the ideal club to resurrect his career. Rashford might also suit being the 'key player', as he no doubt would be in Paris.
Barcelona
Another club that has been linked with Rashford for some time, Barcelona might be keen to sign a left winger in the transfer window. Raphinha has been used on that side for most of this season, but he is much more productive when playing in the No.10 position or on the right-hand side.
That could mean that a left winger is needed and Rashford could slot straight into the XI at Barcelona. Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, alongside Raphinha, make up the three-man attacking midfield line behind Robert Lewandowski but there is no reason why Rashford couldn't break that up or help support it.
Newcastle
The final team on this possible destination list is Newcastle. The Magpies were linked with a move for Rashford in 2022 and Eddie Howe described him as a "world-class" player last year.
Although a left winger is quite far down the pecking order of priority positions for Newcastle, they might need to find a replacement for Anthony Gordon if he is sold for Financial Fair Player purposes. Rashford could fit straight into that Newcastle team and he can also be used anywhere across the forward line.