Manchester United are reportedly planning to force star forward Marcus Rashford out of the club as part of a “cultural reboot”, with a January transfer window considered the ideal time for his departure. The 27-year-old England international has been left out of recent squads, including the 2-1 derby victory over Manchester City, due to concerns over his consistency and performance.
Rashford’s exclusion from the squad has sparked speculation that his time at Old Trafford is drawing to a close. The club’s new ownership group, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, is adamant that there can be “no passengers” in the team’s rebuild. According to The Guardian, Rashford is now being put up for sale, with his £365,000-a-week contract making him a costly asset to retain.
The decision to part with Rashford is part of a broader effort to “engineer a shift in culture throughout the club”, as described by manager Ruben Amorim. The club’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has already been relieved of his duties, and Rashford’s departure is seen as a key step in reversing the team’s inconsistent form.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, too many players have been allowed to underperform at Old Trafford, with coaches paying the price for the team’s lack of accountability. The new ownership group believes that previous bosses have not been given the necessary support to deliver change, and the plan is to reverse this trend.
Rashford’s potential departure has sparked interest from several top clubs, although his high salary will limit the pool of potential suitors. Manchester United’s willingness to let him go in the winter window may spark a bidding war, but the club’s priorities lie in revamping their squad and culture.
As the Red Devils continue their rebuild, Rashford’s future remains uncertain. Will he find a new home in January, or will he remain at Old Trafford to fight for his place? Only time will tell.
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