Earlier this week we wrote that surely Manchester United soon have to act over a new contract for top scorer Marcus Rashford.
The number 10 is in good form, scoring in both of his last two games, including a stunning headed winner against West Ham at the weekend.
Now a report in The Mail claims United are determined to extend Marcus Rashford’s deal, in one way or another, by the end of 2022.
The newspaper report Rashford is ‘central’ to manager Erik ten Hag’s future plans at the club.
New deal for Rashford likely
Rashford’s contract expires in June 2023. This means he would be able to negotiate with foreign clubs as an impending free agent from January 1.
This is a situation which Manchester United would rather avoid, and there are two possible ways to address this.
One is simply to take the short-term fix, to trigger the one year extension in Rashford’s contract, and extend his deal to 2024.
This buys United more time, but ultimately a second, longer term solution will have to be found.
With Rashford expected to head to the World Cup later this month, it may be impractical to thrash out a longer term agreement before the end of 2022.
Rashford earns a reported £200,000 per week, The Mail report. It is unclear what his demands may be for a new deal.
His poor form last season weakens his negotiating hand somewhat, but he is performing very strongly at the perfect time, when his contract is up, and there could be substantial interest from other clubs.
United know it would be a terrible look to lose an academy starlet on a free, who has scored 100 goals for the club.
It would seem even worse if he is allowed to slip out the door, considering manager Erik ten Hag wishes to keep him.
Rashford too will be reluctant to leave United, considering the way Ten Hag has rejuvenated his career. He has seen with Ralf Rangnick, how the wrong circumstances and surroundings can take him off course. Any move would be a gamble.
One way or another, we would expect Rashford to sign a new long term deal before the end of the season.
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