Uncertain Futures: Man Utd’s Four Regular Starters, Including Rashford, Leave Ten Hag Vulnerable as Euro Giants Prepare to Cause Havoc
According to a report, PSG’s interest in Marcus Rashford isn’t going away, and a Man United strategy is leaving Erik ten Hag vulnerable, though his star striker isn’t the only regular starter facing an uncertain future.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United has been arguably the best player in England since the World Cup. Since returning from Qatar, the 25-year-old has scored 19 goals in 25 matches and has played a key role in setting up what could be a treble of cups (League Cup, FA Cup, Europa League).
Rashford was one of several United players whose 12-month contract options were exercised in December. The goal was to protect United’s position and prevent Rashford and co. from negotiating pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.
However, Rashford, as well as fellow regular starters Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw (both of whom had one-year options triggered), will be out of contract in the summer of 2024.
As a result, decisions on the trio must be made as soon as possible, with David de Gea’s situation being even more pressing.
The Athletic has now provided a comprehensive update on the quartet, and United’s reluctance to sanction high salaries may become an issue.
To begin, the report mentions De Gea, who did not have his one-year option in his contract activated. As a result, he’ll be a free agent in June.
United chose not to activate the clause in favor of negotiating a new long-term contract in the first half of 2023.
De Gea is said to be willing to commit his future to United, despite United’s desire to significantly reduce his base salary.
He currently earns around £375,000 per week, which United hopes to cut in half with a new weekly wage of £200,000.
Losing De Gea would be devastating for United, especially since Dean Henderson has begun to push for a move away. Losing both goalkeepers in the same summer would divert a large portion of United’s transfer budget away from their pursuit of a center-forward.
While losing De Gea would be a setback, losing Rashford would be devastating.
United are risking Ten Hag’s wrath over Rashford.
On that front, the Athletic recognize Rashford has the upper hand in negotiations due to his outstanding performance this season.
Initial talks between the forward’s camp and United officials have taken place, and more are planned. However, it is claimed that there have been “no significant steps forward” as of yet.
A possible takeover of the club will have no bearing on United’s plans for Rashford, nor will the fact that he is one of many players whose contracts all need to be addressed at the same time.
However, United’s so-called “Ronaldo rule” – refusing to pay high salaries in order to close the wage gap between the club’s lowest and highest earners – could be a sticking point.
Indeed, United are hoping to keep their wage bill under control and are unlikely to commit to anything close to the £400,000-a-week offer made by PSG to Rashford.
The French giant expressed interest in Rashford in 2022, and the Athletic claim that interest is “not going away.”
United was kept up to date on the ‘above board’ talks between PSG and Rsshford’s camp. If United and Rashford are unable to reach an agreement, PSG will be ready to cause havoc and steal the homegrown ace from Old Trafford.
Along with Rashford and De Gea, the starting full-backs Dalot and Shaw are at a crossroads.
Their contracts, like Rashford’s, expire in the summer of 2024, and the Athletic conclude that the trio’s “futures at the club beyond the end of next season are uncertain.”
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