Manchester United will reportedly set an asking price of £40m for Marcus Rashford in the upcoming January transfer window.
After breaking into the first team in February 2016 as a teenager, fans thought that boyhood United fan Rashford could be the face of the club's revival in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Fast-forward to 2024, and it looks as if the forward's time at Old Trafford could end bitterly after the attacker announced his desire to leave the club earlier in December.
The forward has been excluded from Ruben Amorim's squad for three consecutive games, and his relationship with the Portuguese manager appears to already be fractured.
Football Insider claim that Rashford is attracting interest from clubs both in the Premier League, with United reportedly asking for around £40m.
© Imago
Will United be stuck with Rashford?
January is a notoriously difficult time for clubs, with many sides strapped for cash after having spent heavily in the summer transfer window.
An asking price of £40m might not seem particularly steep considering the innate talent of the 27-year-old, but it is long since he has shown that talent on a consistent basis, something that could put off potential suitors.
Additionally, Rashford is reportedly on a weekly wage in excess of £300k on a contract that runs until 2028, which makes him simply unattainable for most clubs.
Paris Saint-Germain have been touted in the past as a potential destination for the Englishman, but it remains to be seen if the French champions view him as the long-term successor to Kylian Mbappe.
Unless United are willing to allow Rashford to leave on loan in January, it is entirely possible that the Red Devils may be unable to offload him anytime soon.
© Imago
Short-term pain, long-term gain?
Amorim has so far overseen four wins, one draw and three losses during his time as Red Devils boss, and though his record is somewhat underwhelming, it is difficult to place any blame on the Portuguese boss considering has has so far had to work with previous manager Erik ten Hag's squad.
However, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented controversial cost-cutting measures this season, and it is uncertain whether Amorim will be allocated any funds for the January transfer window.
Selling Rashford for £40m could be significant for Amorim, especially as the forward is classed as home-grown and his sale would go down as 'pure profit', helping the club navigate the league's strict profit and sustainability rules.
If United were to find a buyer for the attacker in January, Amorim might not look to improve the Red Devils' attack through the purchase of a forward, but instead through the purchase of a wing-back in order to increase the team's effectiveness in wide positions.
Regardless, January may be a turbulent time for United fans should Rashford's departure become a protracted affair, and the saga is certainly one that Amorim could do without.
Lewis Nolan
