Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United is under scrutiny, and a rival sporting director has taken the opportunity to mock the club’s current state.
Despite having two games left this season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces significant decisions this summer, including Erik ten Hag’s future, regardless of the FA Cup final outcome. There are hopes of securing a deal for Newcastle’s sporting director Dan Ashworth, who remains on gardening leave.
The upcoming transfer window will be pivotal, especially if United secure European football for next season. According to MEN Sport, only Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andre Onana are off-limits for transfers. This leaves several senior players, including Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, and Marcus Rashford, open to potential offers.
Rashford Advised to Seek Transfer
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has suggested Rashford should leave United for his and the club’s benefit. After scoring 30 goals last season, Rashford has only netted eight times this campaign. His recent altercation with a United supporter before Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle, in which he started on the bench, highlights growing fan discontent.
Rashford’s behavior off the pitch has also raised eyebrows, particularly after he was seen partying following October’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City and a boozy night in Belfast in January, which led to a talk with Ten Hag. “I think he’s done,” Jordan commented on the Three Up Front podcast. “The problem with Marcus Rashford now is that well has been polluted, I think he has to move on as much for himself as potentially for Manchester United.” Rashford signed a new five-year contract with United last July.
MEN Sport’s Isaac Johnson added: “Despite his lack of form, Rashford’s exit would cause more problems than solutions. Unless a truly irresistible opportunity arises, it would seem premature to let him go considering the current attacking options. Last season, he became the first United player in a decade to score 30 goals in a season and that shouldn’t be forgotten. A poor season, yes, but Rashford is not a poor player. It’s more likely that he exits due to his own wish, which is a possibility if Paris Saint-Germain come calling, asking him to be Kylian Mbappe’s successor. Now, that would be a hard opportunity for the player to turn down.”
Juventus Chief Mocks United
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has ridiculed the idea that key players from his squad would consider moving to United, citing the club’s inability to offer what Juventus can next season. United, potentially facing their worst-ever Premier League finish, are at risk of missing out on European football and are certain to miss next season’s revamped Champions League.
While United seek two centre-backs this summer, including Gleison Bremer, Giuntoli dismissed the notion that players like Bremer, Dusan Vlahovic, and Andrea Cambiaso would want to leave for Old Trafford given United’s current predicament. “Bremer, Vlahovic, and Cambiaso are untouchable, the others can be reasoned with,” Giuntoli told La Gazzetta Dello Sport. Regarding Bremer, he added, “Not for the 60 million of the clause, a hundred would be needed. I am convinced that he will stay in Turin. Juve will play the Champions League and the Club World Cup, what would he do at United?”
MEN Sport’s Isaac Johnson remarked, “While United’s situation is worrisome, Juventus can hardly take the moral high ground. They were banned from UEFA competition this season due to financial breaches and have not earned their 2025 Club World Cup spot on merit. Sure, there is no Champions League football next season but the Premier League is an attractive prospect for every player due to its high profile and luxurious wages. Admittedly, Bremer would need some convincing to join United and this might be a theme of their transfer window.”