Marcus Rashford has worn the No.10 shirt at Manchester United since 2018
Marcus Rashford has worn the No.10 shirt at Manchester United since 2018
Manchester United have some important decisions to make in the months ahead, particularly in the summer transfer window.
United still have a chance to win a major trophy this season in the Europa League as they prepare for a quarter-final against Lyon after the international break. In terms of the Premier League, though, the Reds will hope to improve on their current 13th-place position and climb the table as much as possible over their final nine games.
When the summer transfer window arrives, though, regardless of what happens on the pitch this summer, some tough decisions will have to be made. One has arguably already been done after United sanctioned Marcus Rashford's exit last month, with the forward joining Aston Villa on loan.
Villa have the option of making the move permanent in the summer for £40million. Even if Villa choose not to activate the option-to-buy, a fresh report suggests that Rashford may not have a long-term future at United.
The Daily Star has reported that Ruben Amorim has decided that he does not have Rashford in his plans for next season. As a result, United are reportedly preparing to sanction the permanent exit of their academy graduate, with Villa still the most likely destination.
If Rashford does leave United, it would mean the iconic No.10 shirt becomes vacant. Rashford has worn the squad number since 2018, with the number previously being worn by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham, to name a few.
United would have a decision to make on who would get the number. It could go to a new signing, but there is one player in the squad who is arguably most deserving of the honour.
Amad has been one of United's shining lights this season, although he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury. Amorim admitted he hopes to have Amad back before the end of the season, but if not, the Ivory Coast international will be looking to play another key role at Old Trafford next term.
Amad will be in the running for United's Player of the Season award this term, with nine goals and seven assists to his name so far this term. The forward currently wears the No.16 shirt, as has been the case since his arrival from Atalanta in 2021, with the exception of his loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland.
Not many would begrudge United handing Amad one of the club's most iconic shirt numbers. Some may prefer the honour go to a new signing, but Amad has proven his value to the club and stepped up in many key moments across the last two seasons.
At 22 years old and with his best years ahead of him, Amad has the potential to be one of United's stars of the future as well as the present. For that reason, among many others, he is more than deserving of following in the same footsteps as Rashford, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy and Beckham from next season onwards.
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