Marcus Rashford has CARRIED Man United this season… the Red Devils MUST resolve his future

As the Glazer household proceed to toy with the thought of promoting Manchester United, the difficulty of Marcus Rashford’s future can’t be left unattended.

On the one hand, the possession of the membership has to be extra vital than anybody participant as the Qataris, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a smattering of US hedge funds jockey for place in the queue to supply the Glazers the deal they need.

On the different, no participant is extra vital to United’s hopes of securing a profitable place in the Champions League than Rashford.

The 25-year-old’s purpose in the 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday night time was his 28th of the season. It was his 10th winner in the league this season, the most by a United participant since Wayne Rooney in 2010. It was additionally his 19th at Old Trafford in all competitions this season, the most since Rooney in 2012.

These are large numbers. Big comparisons. No different United participant – Jadon Sancho, Antony, Wout Weghorst or Antony Martial – has come near matching them this season. Rashford has carried his crew and Erik ten Hag admitted on Wednesday night time that his crew have relied on the England man an excessive amount of.

Rashford’s £250,000-a-week contract runs out in the summer season of 2024 and Paris Saint-Germain are ready to supply him considerably extra to go away Old Trafford.

The participant would like to remain in Manchester, however United should agree new phrases or settle for that Rashford goes to go away and attempt to promote him for the absolute best worth this summer season. The solely different various is to let him drift into the closing 12 months of his contract and threat shedding him for nothing.

Whichever path the membership chooses, it’s not a difficulty that may be allowed to attend whereas takeover talks proceed to tug on.

Wout Weghorst is the Marmite man at Manchester United proper now.

Some admire the Dutchman for his spirit and his coronary heart and his work ethic. You solely needed to witness Weghorst’s response to successful the first trophy of his profession at the age of 30 when United beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup closing, or his celebration when he scored his first purpose at Old Trafford towards Real Betis final month to understand what this alternative means to him.

His supporters would additionally level to the two targets he scored for Holland towards Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals in December as proof that he belongs at the highest stage.

Others would argue that he lacks the finesse to be a United participant. There are shades of Marouane Fellaini in the 6ft 6in striker on mortgage from Burnley: a participant who could be efficient in the proper areas however does not actually signify the qualities anticipated at Old Trafford.

Weghorst scored twice for Burnley in the Premier League final season, however the two he has scored since becoming a member of United in January after reducing brief a mortgage at Besiktas in January have are available in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

Erik ten Hag had began him in 19 consecutive video games earlier than Wednesday night time’s win over Brentford, however lastly took the choice to drop Weghorst to the bench and recall Jadon Sancho.

There is little question {that a} ahead line of Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony is extra dynamic and extra fluid than any mixture that options Weghorst. Anthony Martial got here on in the second half and he too suits the invoice of a fast, skilful attacker in the finest United traditions.

Sancho supplied the nook from which United scored the solely purpose towards Brentford, however did little else of word earlier than departing in the 71st minute. His alternative, Martial, was even much less efficient as he comes again from yet one more damage. Antony had extra of an influence however it was as soon as once more left to Rashford to save lots of the day.

Meanwhile, Weghorst sat watching from the bench. There appears little probability of him turning his mortgage right into a everlasting transfer in the summer season. United did properly to signal a World Cup striker throughout the January window with out committing to a longer-term deal, however there will probably be greater names on their radar in the summer season.

In the meantime, do not write off Weghorst. He may not have a long-term future at United, however he should have an vital half to play between now and the finish of the season.

David de Gea preserved United’s lead over Brentford with an important one-on-one save from Kevin Schade in the second half. He continues to be an vital presence in purpose for United as he closes in on Alex Stepney’s all-time look report for a United goalkeeper.

Bu the Spaniard has chosen a nasty time to undergo the yips in his kicking recreation as talks proceed over a brand new contract.

Newcastle focused De Gea’s vulnerability at brief purpose kicks when United misplaced 2-0 on Tyneside at the weekend, and Ivan Toney’s block early in the second half on Wednesday night time practically resulted in a calamitous purpose.

At the age of 32, De Gea’s kicking recreation is simply going to enhance a lot. Old canines and new methods, and all that. It will stay a weak spot to set towards his unquestionable shot-stopping means.

In some ways, he’s fortunate that he is not working with Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City supervisor’s first act when he arrived at the Etihad in 2016 was to bomb out England goalkeeper Joe Hart, largely as a consequence of the keeper’s shortcomings with his ft.

Ten Hag can also be dedicated to taking part in out from the again however he has been extra affected person with the gamers he inherited at United, significantly after Brentford punished his crew so brutally in a 4-0 demolition at the Gtech Community Stadium at the begin of the season.

Going ahead, although, it’s one thing the Dutchman will wish to implement additional and that will be one motive for accepting that De Gea’s time at United is up.

The two sides stay in talks over a brand new deal geared toward lowering De Gea’s £375,000-a-week wage however are nonetheless a way aside with his contract as a consequence of run out on June 30.

It’s nonetheless hoped {that a} compromise could be reached. But each time De Gea does ultimately depart then count on his alternative to be somewhat higher with his ft.