Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford doesn't have many obvious next club options
After 426 appearances for Manchester United, Marcus Rashford has said what many have been thinking for a while. It's time for a change.
For almost two years Rashford has appeared in footballing purgatory despite that timeline overlapping with the signing of a brand new long-term contract. His problems started just when a new dawn could have emerged - off the back of scoring 30 times in a season.
He has bagged just 16 goals since, with his form having deteriorated. United's wider troubles as a club have been sliding along with Rashford and he is now onto a fifth permanent coach in nine years. In total, eight have managed him at Old Trafford since his breakthrough.
ALSO READ: Rashford reveals he's 'ready to leave' United
ALSO READ: Amorim on Rashford exit statement
On Tuesday, just two days after being left out of Ruben Amorim's squad for the derby against Manchester City (alongside fellow attacker Alejandro Garnacho), Rashford admitted that his time at the club was coming to a close. "For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," he said in a candid and honest interview whilst attending a school visit on a day off.
He went further, adding: "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.
"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."
There are few ways to take this other than a premature goodbye. And although Amorim seemed to keep the door open to his immediate return to playing, the writing is on the wall, as it has been for a while.
Only last week were suggestions that he could be let go in January for £40million, around half of what was reportedly his price in 2020. So, are these truly the last few weeks of Rashford at United, and if so, is it the right decision for both parties?
Where next for the player, and who can afford this 27-year-old? Does anyone actually need him? MEN Sport writers discuss all of this below...
Tom Coley
It was already feeling pretty inevitable that Rashford left United in 2025. Doing a deal in January isn't going to be easy no matter how public he is with being open to a move anyway.
The biggest question really is who gets him. Or, more accurately, who wants him. The clubs who could sign him and afford him are limited and then there is the thing of actually needing Rashford.
On his day this is a player who deserves the £80million price tag but he hasn't been that player for years. Even in 2022, as a 26-year-old, he wouldn't have fetched much over £60million.
Bayern Munich are pretty stacked, Paris Saint-Germain have their wingers sorted, Chelsea (even without Mykhailo Mudryk indefinitely) aren't lacking in attackers. Maybe Arsenal, but they seem too sensible to do anything here. Rashford is a big risk.
Does Rashford have it in him, at this stage of his career, to drop down a level from Europe's elite to a side with upwards ambitions? Why not, but again, there are financial problems at play. All parties will surely have to give a little up here to make something happen.
Kieran Horn
I cannot see any other outcome than Rashford departing United within the next eight months. Given his inconsistent form over the last few years, it is time for him to go elsewhere - a fresh start is absolutely what he needs.
It has seemingly taken Amorim less than a month to make a decision on Rashford's future with the likes of Amad, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund proving their worth over him. With that being said, the 27-year-old is still an excellent footballer and could easily get his career back on track elsewhere.
As he only signed a lucrative new contract, United could demand a significant fee to sanction his departure. Paris Saint-Germain have been linked as one option and a move abroad could be perfect for Rashford given how the likes of Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori have rediscovered their best form after departing England.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are also proof of how successful English players can be elsewhere, with Rashford certainly capable of becoming PSG's talisman.
Related Articles
Marcus Rashford shows his true colours with tears as he confirms he wants Man United exit
PSG have already told Manchester United their Marcus Rashford transfer stance
Marcus Rashford and Man United on transfer collision course as January solution looks inevitable
Liam Wood
It's hard to see any way back for Rashford from here, despite Amorim's comments seemingly acting as a buffer to any potential damage done by that bombshell interview from the United forward. Of course, there are quite a few moving parts at play and striking-up business in January is never a simple task. In fact, that might be why the new head coach opted to keep the door open - at least publicly - in case United are unable to cash-in during the winter.
Gone are the days where United can expect a £100million-plus fee for Rashford. Long gone. However, amid PSR caution across the Premier League and in particular as United seek wiggle room in the budget to mould the squad in Amorim's guise, selling Rashford - for whatever the amount - will go down as pure profit and help them reinvest.
Despite his critics, the 27-year-old has given so much for the cause, but now is the time (for all parties) to shake hands and move on. Amorim has kept his powder dry just in case, but United now have 40 days or so to find a willing suitor and draw a line under Rashford's chapter at Old Trafford.
Kieran King
For me, Marcus Rashford needs to leave Manchester United during the January transfer window. It's clear that the 27-year-old is not happy at Old Trafford and I think it would be best for all parties to move on. United would be getting a nice sum of cash for an academy graduate who is not performing, helping their PSR situation in the process, and Rashford would be handed the chance to resurrect his career elsewhere.
But where could Rashford move to? I think he would be perfect for Arsenal. It's clear the Gunners need another forward to solve their goalscoring woes and if Mikel Arteta can get Rashford in the right mindset and motivated to perform week-in week-out I don't see why that cannot be a match made in heaven. He could slot straight into that left wing position and is also capable of playing through the middle.
Elsewhere, Rashford wouldn't be a bad long-term option to replace Heung-min Son, who is out of contract next summer, at Tottenham, while I don't think a move abroad is a terrible idea either. Paris Saint-Germain - who lost Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid last summer - are in need of some sparkle in attack and Rashford could provide that, having got an impressive record himself against the Ligue 1 side.
Bruna Reis
That bombshell interview did more damage than any favours to Rashford despite there already being talks of a possible move next year. It’s difficult to see a different outcome other than his departure from his boyhood club in the next few months.
It appears that Ruben Amorim only needed over a month to make his decision over the forward's long-term future and deciding to axe him from one of the most important games of the season, certainly speaks volumes. While we don’t know what has exactly gone on behind the scenes, players such as Amad, Hojlund and even Zirkzee have shown their worth on the pitch.
Even if Rashford was to come back into the squad, the outside noise could have a significant impact on his performances and United don’t need that. They need players who will make a difference and who are guaranteed to score them goals in every single game.
While the club are unlikely to receive a higher fee than £40million for him, that money will allow them to reinvest on signings as the sale of their academy graduate would be regarded as pure profit. Not to mention, getting his hefty wages off the books will be a huge plus and would also help their PSR situation.
With Rashford linked with a move to Arsenal, it’s difficult to see United willing to negotiate the forward with their rivals. A move to either Spain or France would be ideal for the 27-year-old to re-energise his career.
Sign up to get even more from our Man United coverage
We want your views, Reds. You can become even more involved with our Man United coverage by signing up. This will unlock a whole host of things - including joining the comments and taking part in our special Q&As, where you can speak directly to our reporters about what’s happening at Old Trafford this week and beyond.
Click here to get started.