Things have not been going well for Manchester United under the management of Erik ten Hag, and as the January transfer window draws near, speculation is mounting about potential changes. Although a complete squad overhaul seems improbable, one of the club’s most iconic players, Marcus Rashford, might be heading for the exit.
Rashford, who will turn 27 by the end of the month, is entering a critical stage of his career where most players are expected to reach their peak. Ten Hag had previously compared Rashford to Kylian Mbappe, a compliment that now appears questionable given his recent form.
According to stats from Transfermarkt, Rashford has managed to score just 12 goals in his last 58 appearances, a stark decline from his earlier performances.
Rumors surrounding Rashford’s potential departure from Old Trafford have grown louder, particularly as the January transfer window approaches. Recent comments by the player himself suggest that there is tension between him and Ten Hag. Rashford reportedly remarked that Ten Hag had “gone mad,” hinting that the Dutchman may have lost his grip on the locker room.
Manchester United’s performances this season have been far from impressive. After eight matches in the Premier League, they find themselves languishing in 12th place, already trailing league leaders Liverpool by 10 points. The team has managed to score just seven goals, a statistic that is only marginally better than three of the four teams occupying the relegation spots. These struggles emphasize how poor United’s form has been over the last year.
It’s no wonder that some of Europe’s top clubs are eyeing Rashford. According to a report from TeamTalk, Bayern Munich and Marseille are both exploring the possibility of signing the forward in January. This follows earlier interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who had also been linked with a move for Rashford.
Despite having made over 400 appearances for Manchester United, Rashford’s declining form suggests that his future at the club may be in jeopardy. Unless there’s a significant change, either in Ten Hag’s tenure or in Rashford’s own mindset, a move to a different club—possibly abroad—seems more likely as time goes on.
It remains uncertain whether Manchester United would be willing to let Rashford go, or what sort of transfer fee they would expect if they did decide to sell him. Nonetheless, with his form dipping and major European clubs expressing interest, Rashford’s future at Old Trafford is anything but guaranteed.