An update has emerged on Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United, and if it is to be the end he has the perfect gift to leave behind
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Marcus Rashford of Manchester United reacts
Marcus Rashford has the perfect gift to leave his Manchester United successor (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
(Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Currently out on loan to Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford's career with Manchester United continues to be a central topic as the season progresses.
Frozen out of the team, the 27-year-old's relationship with new manager Ruben Amorim is said to have deteriorated over the month or so before his January loan departure to the west Midlands was confirmed. Now our colleagues at The Daily Star claim there is no way back for Rashford at Man United.
Despite the report also stating the club seek to secure a £60m fee upon the forward's permanent departure, Villa agreed a £40m optional purchase clause within their loan.
With the player's form on the rise since his move to play under Unai Emery, it would be no wonder if they moved to secure his signing. At the same time, MEN Sport understands Rashford would have preferred a transfer to Barcelona, who were only prepared to discuss a deal in summer.
But wherever Rashford ends up playing his football on a permanent basis next season, he will do so in his own words '100 percent' a supporter of the club.
So he may feel somewhat pleased to help his parent club secure a good transfer fee, one that will go down as pure profit based on the fact he was raised through the Man United academy from the age of seven, thus providing a major boost towards battling any FFP restrictions that may linger.
And on top of that, a sense of honour to pass down one of the most coveted assets in Man United folklore to whomever Amorim deems the worthy successor - Rashford's No.10 shirt.
For the weight it may carry from its current owner's talismanic spells, before that Wayne Rooney's heroism and even further back in time the efforts of Ruud van Nistelrooy, David Beckham, Roy Keane and many more, the shirt number will be the perfect gift to leave.
Like when Rashford was passed the honour in 2018, Amorim could again easily choose to stay in-house. His captain Bruno Fernandes takes the number for his country, or if seeking to send a message there are the likes of Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo who have the potential to be the foundations of the next successful Old Trafford side.
Or the boss could truly begin to look to the transfer market, with the summer his first great opportunity to initiate real change at the club with multiple outgoings and as many incomings to reshape everything.
Victor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike, Jonathan David, Angel Gomes and Jobe Bellingham are just some of the names in an attacking or attacking midfield sense that have been linked with being recruited to the Amorim project and could step up to the challenge soon to be left behind by Rashford.