Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Marcus Rashford stance to leave Ten Hag beached after PSG hold positive talks over shock Man Utd raid

Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford

PSG have held positive talks with the representatives of Marcus Rashford and the player’s stance on a transfer that would leave Man Utd in the lurch has surfaced, per reports.

The 24-year-old looked a man on a mission in pre-season. Rashford was among a cluster of forwards who shone in the friendlies and clearly took the instructions of new manager Erik ten Hag on board.

Rashford looked a rejuvenated figure and will be hoping to bounce back from a sub-par campaign last term. Indeed, the five goals he notched last year were the lowest single-season tally of his career to date.

Rashford has a place in the Manchester United forward line if he can rediscover his form. What’s more, the exits of Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata have removed several competitors for minutes from the equation.

Clearly, the stage is set for Rashford to prove his worth at Old Trafford this season. As such, it comes as a surprise to see a whole host of outlets reporting PSG are sniffing around.

Indeed, Sky Sports’ Kavel Solhekol claimed no fewer than three separate publications are claiming PSG want to sign the forward.

“We’ve been hearing in the last few minutes through three different media outlets in France that are reporting that PSG are interested in signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United,” said Solkehol.

“This is a story that was first reported by L’Equipe. They say that PSG are looking to sign another forward and Rashford has been a long-term target for them.”

PSG boss, Christophe Galtier, recently confirmed a versatile new forward is on his agenda. Rashford fits that bill being capable of playing both out wide and centrally.

Rashford stance emerges

The original source of the information is French outlet L’Equipe. ESPN journalist, Julien Laurens, later tweeted L’Equipe’s reporting was accurate.

What’s more, Laurens tweeted Rashford is ‘keen on a new challenge’. Sky’s Solhekol claimed he’s heard similar.

“A couple of other outlets are saying that the player is open to making the move,” continued Solhekol.

“There’s been a lot of talk over the fact he has one year left on his contract. But United have the option of extending that by another year.

“It’s effectively another year so United don’t have to sell him if they don’t want to.”

Rashford’s contract expires next summer, though United do hold an option for a further 12 months.

His contract status is likely a reason why PSG sense an opportunity, though talkSPORT claimed no official contact has yet been made with Man Utd.

Instead, talks have been held with Rashford’s entourage and per GetFrenchFootballNewsthey’re said to be ‘advancing positively’.

Would Man Utd really cash in?

United already look short in the final third and a Rashford exit would only add to Ten Hag’s early woes.

The Mail’s article noted PSG are fully aware of Rashford’s affinity for Man Utd. As such, they know signing him won’t come cheap.

That could mean a sizeable offer – and one that could at least make Man Utd think – could be lodged if their interest is firmed up. But whether a sale so late in the window would be a smart move is another matter entirely.

Detailing United’s potential stance if a bid were tabled, Sky’s Dharmesh Sheth said: “We’re just awaiting confirmation on Manchester United’s position regarding Marcus Rashford.

“They are under no pressure to sell with that option to extend his contract by a further year.

“Given the issues they’ve got with the forward line right now with injuries [Anthony Martial] and the saga surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo, I don’t know whether Manchester United would be in a position of even contemplating losing another of their forward line, not least Marcus Rashford.”