When asked if Marcus Rashford will ever feature for Manchester United recently, Ruben Amorim’s response was firm and direct. The 39-year-old Portuguese manager says he cannot put a player he believes is not the best for the team.
Marcus Rashford’s future at the club is very uncertain as a move away from the club is quite imminent. The 27-year-old homegrown talent has hinted at wanting a new challenge for his career after he was left out of the Manchester Derby in December.
Rashford has been linked with a move to top European clubs over the last few weeks and Barcelona are the latest club to show interest in the player with less than ten days to the end of the winter transfer window.
Despite scoring the first goal in Ruben Amorim’s reign as Manchester United head coach in November, Rashford has fallen in the pecking order in Amorim’s matchday selections.
Marcus Rashford last featured for the Red Devils in a Europa League fixture away at Viktoria Plzen in December, where he came off Rasmus Hojlund in the match’s second half.
Players do come and go irrespective of their status at a club but sometimes the departure of a player might lead to regret.
The reasons below highlight why Manchester United will regret letting Marcus Rashford go.
1. Homegrown Talents and Brand Legacy
Talented players developed and nurtured at a club are likely to leave at a point especially when an irresistible offer comes at the peak of their careers or the desire to embrace a new challenge.
However, if the circumstances surrounding the player’s departure is ugly, it affects the loyalty of other homegrown talents who might want to leave before things get ugly.
Marcus Rashford situation at Manchester United will have an effect on other young players at club if he eventually leaves this transfer window or in the summer.
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Other homegrown talents at the club might have wavering loyalty which could affect their performance when the opportunity to play arises.
Ruben Amorim leaving Rashford out of the squad despite not being injured sends a message of not being wanted anymore at a club.
Manchester United’s brand perception will also be put to question if Rashford leaves given the current circumstances.
2. Goalscoring Ability
Asides Bruno Fernandes, the captain of the club, Rashford ranks as one of the better goal scorers at the club over the last few seasons. Rashford might not be in form at the moment having not played in over six matches, his class is no doubt permanent.
In the 2022/2023 season, Marcus finished as the club’s highest goal scorer with 30 goals in 46 appearances in competitions. The 27-year-old outscored the likes of Bruno Fernandes (12), Anthony (9) and Antony (8).
He won the Manchester United Players’ Player of the Year, Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year as well as the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Year that season.
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Rashford’s experience and versatility in front of goal could be of help to the Ruben Amorim with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund continue to struggle in front of goal.
Despite not playing in recent matches, Rashford has the same number of goals (7) as Rasmus Hojlund and three more than Joshua Zirkzee this season.
Manchester United letting go of a player that is capable of converting chances when the team is currently lacking would be regrettable.
3. Market Value
Since INEOS took over the affairs of the club last year, Manchester United have cut down on some expenses such as slashing the salaries of its ambassadors and other staffs at the club.
This is an indication that the club is being frugal with expenses and needs to raise more money especially from player sales.
Marcus Rashford at the moment won’t fetch Manchester United as much as he would have raked if he was sold after the 2022/2023 season.
Rashford has turned the move to play in Saudi Arabia – the only realistic place where Manchester United could make a decent amount from his sale.
The player prefers a move to a European club side but his wage demands is a bottleneck.
Selling Rashford now will give the club pure profits being a homegrown talent but with his potential of getting back to form, the Red Devils stand the chance of making more profits.
