Mail Sport’s Football Editor Ian Ladyman has suggested that Marcus Rashford kickstart his career away from Manchester United at a Premier League rival on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast.
The academy graduate has spent the entirety of his senior playing career at Old Trafford, but amid a difficult season which has seen him struggle to find form and frequently sidelined by injury, speculation has mounted that Rashford could yet begin again elsewhere.
The 26-year-old is thought to be resistant to a career away from Old Trafford, but the player is believed to be heading for showdown talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to discuss his future at the end of the season, as the Ineos boss prepares to make wholesale changes to Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Paris Saint-Germain have previously attempted to tempt Rashford away from United, with his representatives meeting with those from the Ligue 1 serial champions two seasons ago.
But Ladyman suggested that clubs closer to home would be wise to capitalise on the uncertainty in Manchester.
Marcus Rashford could yet play away from Old Trafford next season as the club prepares for a mass overhaul this summer
The academy graduate was pictured reacting to words from a fan on Wednesday night
The 26-year-old has scored just seven Premier League goals this season after a dazzling 2022-23 campaign
Speaking after Man United’s vital win against Newcastle on Wednesday evening, Ladyman noted how, as a substitute, Rashford found himself caught up in an unwanted incident on the sidelines.
‘Marcus Rashford got involved with a bit of backwards-and-forwards with a fan, I think in the Stretford End when he was warming up before the game,’ Ladyman began. ‘The fan gave him a bit of lip, he gave a bit back, and had to be pulled away by one of his teammates.
‘Whatever happens at Manchester United this summer, it’s a damn shame to see someone like Marcus clearly still unhappy, unsettled, just coming back from injury.
‘And I do think more than ever now, I think it is just time for Marcus Rashford to find a new club and start again. I really do believe that.’
When Ladyman’s co-host Chris Sutton queried where exactly he envisaged the England international going, Ladyman was quick to share his thoughts.
The player is thought to be resistant to a move away from his boyhood club over the summer
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is thought to be set to discuss his future with him at the end of the term
‘Well, Tottenham need a wide player,’ he added. ‘I’ll tell you that for a start.
‘Tottenham want a centre forward and they want a wide player. So there’s a shout straight away. Wages, wherever Marcus goes, wages will be an issue.
‘They (Tottenham) wouldn’t be able to pay his Manchester United wages, I wouldn’t think.
‘It just depends on Marcus Rashford’s desire to to start again, to kickstart his career, to get going again. Sometimes you’ve got to.
‘Sometimes to get where you want to be, you’ve got to take a sideways step, a backward step to start moving forward again. Marcus Rashford ain’t going to be paid peanuts wherever he goes.’
On the heels of last campaign’s blistering form which saw Rashford net 30 times across all competitions, the striker has scored just seven goals in the Premier League this season in 31 appearances.
Ian Ladyman suggested there could be room for Rashford in Ange Postecoglou’s (above) ranks
Some United fans have criticised his performances on social media, with well-known YouTuber Mark Goldbridge hitting out at Rashford for his lack of form.
After receiving abuse online, Rashford offered a concerning update on how he was, speaking out against ‘months of abuse’ he had received, telling fans that ‘enough was enough’.
