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Published 15:22 7 Mar 2022 GMT
Updated 14:28 19 Feb 2024 GMT
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And this is the moment that the leak about Rashford comes out.
In the middle of an existential crisis for the once-mighty Man United, their most popular player, a homegrown star who came through the academy, appeared to make it known that he may leave if he doesn't get more game time.
Surely things can't get any worse for the club, right?
Yet, rather than add to United's plight, the Rashford news is an open goal for a club that almost never make the right decision. Rather than viewing it as a threat, Man United should now create a market for the forward, who appears unlikely to fulfil his potential.
This is an excellent opportunity to start dismantling their underperforming squad, beginning with a player who, unfortunately, appears to have already peaked.
He has won the ball for Man United with three tackles this season - which is one less than Daniel James, who played three times for United this campaign before departing for Leeds United in August. He forward averages just 0.52 tackles per game - only Ronaldo and Anthony Martial rank lower for this metric of Man United's outfield players. Rashford doesn't appear to be working hard enough for the team, or he has not yet adapted to Rangnick's way of playing. Either way, it's a problem for United.
Beyond these defensive statistics, Rashford has not played well this season and he certainly has not been effective in the final third. He began the campaign with a shoulder injury but still has not regained sharpness, form or confidence. The forward's form has been in steady decline since the 2019/20 season when he scored 17 goals and registered 11 assists in the Premier League.
Last season, he scored 11 goals in 27 league games. He has scored four times in 18 appearances this season. Beyond the statistics, Rashford arguably often makes poor decisions on the pitch. He opts for power shots too often, runs down blind alleys and sometimes squanders promising moves for United.
Rashford has had moments of quality over the last few years, but he has lost the momentum from his breakthrough season in 2016. In fact, he has suffered more than any player at Old Trafford due to the club's drift in recent years.
Could Man United get €150m from Newcastle United for Rashford? It's not beyond possibility. Newcastle will undoubtedly want to make a marquee signing in the summer. Their owners have billions to spend and want to wash their image. What better way to do that than sign the most popular footballer in British football?
Whether Rashford would want to join Newcastle is unclear, and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be interested in him. If Man United were wise, they'd be creating a bidding war for a player who currently appears unlikely to reach world-class levels.
Rashford is not the only player Man United need to consider moving on. The club would be better off without Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, and that's just for starters, there are many more who need to be moved on.
But Rashford is the most saleable of the club's players, and seemingly the easiest one to shift. This is an open goal for Man United.Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
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