Should Manchester United really cash in on Marcus Rashford this summer?

Marcus Rashford is now being linked with a potential move away from Manchester United, but should the Reds sanction his sale?

Manchester United are a club that have been built upon academy excellence. The Old Trafford side have always trusted and believed in youth. That will never change.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are now in control of footballing operations. Although it will take them time to return to the top, it does feel like a positive shift in momentum has already begun.

What better way to begin a new era than making a real statement of intent? That possibility was rumoured yesterday, with the club seemingly considering cashing in on their poster boy, Marcus Rashford.

At first, it sounds somewhat daft. Rashford has been the main source for goals over the last half-decade. This season, though, he’s only scored eight times, while his attitude has been questioned by some sections of the Old Trafford faithful. There has been a shift among supporters towards the United number ten – and not a positive one.

There’s only so many times supporters can stand watching Rashford amble about the field without a care in the world. The defensive effort, or lack of, has been evident on numerous occasions. Quite frankly, it’s borderline disgraceful, particularly when he often talks about how much he loves and cares for this club. Show us that on the field. That’s all we want.

Perhaps a clean break away from the 26-year-old could make sense for United (and Rashford) as the INEOS era begins. It’d send a message to the rest of the dressing room, stating that there’s simply nobody that is bigger than the club, with United no longer willing to take anyone who wants to coast through life at Old Trafford. That’s not a direct attack at Rashford, by the way, for far too long the Red Devils have overpaid for players who simply don’t really care about being here.

I totally understand the frustration on Rashy’s part, too. This is a player who was once considered one of the best in the business. He’s fallen from grace individually, while also being unable to help his boyhood club win major trophies on a regular basis. It’s not his own fault, but he does have aspirations to win medals galore. Maybe a move to somewhere like PSG would offer him that guarantee?

Also think about the extra money that’d be available for the manager to spend. Not only is Rashford on a massive weekly wage, but his sale would fetch in the best part of £100m. Whoever the gaffer is come the start of next season would have huge funds available at his disposal to help turn this squad into one that fits his image entirely.

Rashford has given us some of the best moments in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Those two goals on debut. Those two goals against Arsenal on Premier League debut. That night in Paris. That time he bullied Martin Demechelis in the Manchester derby as a young teenager. It would be sad to see him depart, but maybe at this point, it’s for the best…?

Do you think Man United should part ways with Marcus Rashford? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.