Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag makes telling demand after Marcus Rashford delays contract talks

Harry Watkinson 06 Apr 2023 10:42 PM

Erik ten Hag has reportedly told the Manchester United hierarchy that he wants Marcus Rashford tied down to a new contract before the summer.

The England international has been simply sensational this season, scoring 27 goals across all competitions and firing the Red Devils to fourth place in the Premier League table.

Rashford will have just one year left on his current deal at the end of the season, though, so it’s no surprise that Ten Hag is keen to get things finalised as soon as possible.

However, the striker has decided to delay his contract talks until after the takeover of Man Utd is completed, which is understandably making the Old Trafford faithful anxious.

But the takeover saga, as it stands, is no closer to completion, with Sir Jim Radcliffe and Sheikh Jassim still battling to buy the club.

Amid that drama, as previously revealed by TEAMtalk, Paris Saint-Germain have ‘100%’ approached Rashford, so there is no shortage of interest in his signature.

Man Utd transfer business depends on Rashford

Now, according to Sky Sports News, Ten Hag has ‘given the directive’ to the Man Utd hierarchy that he wants to see Rashford pen an extension before the end of the season.

As well as trying to agree terms with Rashford, the Dutch coach also wants to see David de Gea sign a new deal, although Rashford is the priority.

The England international scored the decisive goal in the Red Devil’s 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday, to keep United’s top-four hopes on track.

Ten Hag admitted after the match that United had relied on Rashford too much this season – but felt that others were capable of chipping in with goals.

“Yeah, it’s the truth, But also we know other players can score as well: Bruno, Antony scored a couple of goals, Jadon Sancho can score, Marcel Sabitzer can score,” he said.

“We have many more players across the squad who can score. What you want as a squad is that you have two players who can score more than 12 or 15 goals a season.”

As a result, Man Utd are currently in the market for a new centre forward, with the likes of Tottenham captain Harry Kane, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund all on Ten Hag’s shortlist.

The Dutch coach will no doubt pick someone who could be effective next to Rashford, however, so it’s no surprise that he wants to get the Englishman tied down before he makes a big-money striker signing.

But, with the striker reportedly demanding a wage of £500,000 per week, Man Utd will have to hand out a new club-record wage to get the deal over the line.

Manchester United Marcus Rashford Erik ten Hag