Manchester United Must Make Key Compromise to Sell Marcus Rashford
Manchester United may face challenges in selling Marcus Rashford, as several significant factors are influencing the situation.
On Monday, The Guardian reported that Manchester United had placed Marcus Rashford on the transfer list ahead of the January window, following Ruben Amorim’s decision to exclude him completely from the matchday squad that triumphed against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia is mentioned as a potential destination for Rashford by Talksport, but it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old is inclined towards such a move.
Manchester United may need to part ways with Marcus Rashford
With Rashford reportedly hoping to secure a place back in the England squad in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, a move to Saudi Arabia at this critical juncture in his career seems unlikely—especially with Thomas Tuchel starting as England manager on January 1.
Therefore, with Saudi Arabia probably off the table, there aren’t many clubs that present realistic alternatives, and even fewer considering his reported £365,000-per-week salary. This could indeed hinder negotiations, particularly since Rashford is entitled to that wage until the summer of 2028.
While reports have indicated that Manchester United may be open to letting the academy graduate depart for around £45 million, as valued by Transfermarkt, the club might also need to incentivize Rashford’s departure.
Given that Rashford is owed millions by the club over the next three and a half years, and considering similar paydays are unlikely elsewhere from Old Trafford, he may simply refuse to leave without an adequate severance package. Thus, not only could Manchester United have to sell him for a diminished fee, but they might also be required to pay him as part of the exit.
A parallel scenario unfolded in the summer transfer window of 2023 when Harry Maguire reportedly turned down an opportunity to leave for a considerably lower salary at West Ham. He aimed for a pay-off of around £7 million to part ways, which ultimately led him to remain at Manchester United amid failure to reach an agreement.
Nonetheless, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a new part-owner, appears willing to endure some short-term difficulties. This was made evident when he severed ties with sporting director Dan Ashworth after only 159 days, despite having paid £5 million for his recruitment from Newcastle, as he seeks to bring top talent to Old Trafford.
In FourFourTwo‘s view, it seems improbable that Manchester United will succeed in selling Marcus Rashford in the upcoming transfer windows unless they are prepared to deal with the associated costs, which could result in a significantly lower return. There remains time for Amorim to persuade Rashford to adapt, signifying the critical stage of his career.
