Marcus Rashford has no intention of leaving Manchester United after missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, even if Erik ten Hag remains as the club’s manager.
Rashford was a high-profile omission from Southgate’s preliminary 33-player training party for this summer’s showpiece event in Germany, following a season in which he scored just eight goals across 42 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old played a starring role in Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford, scoring a career-best 30 goals as United ended their six-year wait for a trophy with success in the Carabao Cup, but struggled to maintain his level as the Red Devils endured a troubled 2023/24 campaign.
United finished eighth in the Premier League, missing out on European competition altogether unless they can beat Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final on Saturday, and Rashford wasn’t always guaranteed a start ahead of the ever-improving Alejandro Garnacho.
Rashford has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal, and is also a player of long-term interest to Paris Saint-Germain, who explored a move to the French capital prior to him signing a five-year contract extension at United in July 2023 worth £325,000-per-week.
But 90min understands that Rashford, who tabloids reported to be ‘barely on speaking terms’ with Ten Hag in February, remains fully committed to United, and that feeling will not change if the under-pressure Dutchman continues in his role as manager.
Those close to Rashford also deny personal issues between himself and Ten Hag.
United are embarking on a new journey under the minority ownership of INEOS, who hope to reinvigorate the club’s ailing fortunes with a complete restructure on and off the field.
Ten Hag’s future will be decided after the FA Cup final may continue in his role, but significant changes have already been made to high-ranking personnel, including the appointments of Sir Dave Brailsford who led Manchester United’s strategic review, and Jason Wilcox as technical director.
Omer Berrada starts as CEO in mid-July and is widely regarded as a best-in-class appointment.
Dan Ashworth is also expected to arrive from Newcastle United as sporting director but remains on gardening leave as the two clubs have thus failed to agree a compensation fee.
Ashworth is currently embroiled in Manchester United-funded arbitration to try and break the impasse.
The more ambitious, modern and more collaborative football operation being built is understood to appeal to Rashford, who believes he can play a big part in turning things.
Rashford is understood to have appreciated the face time from senior INEOS officials since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took sporting control.
Crucially, he also doesn’t feel the need to leave in order to force his way back into England’s setup, and will instead channel all of his efforts into recapturing the form that saw United make him one of the club’s top earners.
United, for their part, have no firm desire to sell Rashford but would understandably take into consideration any sizeable offer given their need to overhaul their squad, comply with the Premier League’s financial regulations and move freely in the summer market.
Even then, with significant earners Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial leaving on a free transfer and Casemiro of interest to Saudi Arabia, there may be no need to entertain offers for Rashford, particularly as the likes of Antony and Christian Eriksen could also be up for sale.
What we know
- Rashford to watch Euro 2024 from home after being overlooked for 33-player preliminary squad
- The 26-year-old has failed to recapture form that saw him net 30 goals during 2022/23
- No desire from player to move on and seek fresh start as United build under ownership.