Rashford could be the bargaining tool United need
Marcus Rashford and Manchester United may have found the perfect solution to the striker’s departure as a bizarre swap opportunity presents itself.
In an explosive interview published on Tuesday, Rashford said he was ‘ready for a new challenge’ away from Old Trafford.
The interview came just days after he was dropped by Ruben Amorim from the Manchester Derby squad.
He told sports writer Henry Winter: “If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person.
“When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me. When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”
Amorim responded to his comments in his pre-match press conference saying he wanted him to stay but the striker is reportedly not in the squad that is set to take on Tottenham.
Now attention turns to where Rashford could go from here.
Rashford may be inclined to follow in the footsteps of his friend and fellow United Academy graduate Scott McTominay who has flourished at Napoli since he joined the Serie A side in summer.
Furthermore, United have been linked with a couple of Napoli players previously and now they may have a bargaining tool in Rashford.
Victor Osimhen is reportedly a key target for the Reds as Amorim looks to improve United’s form in front of goal. They have also previously been linked with winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli manager, Antonio Conte is also a big supporter of Rashford. Back in 2017 he said of the England international: “It’s very difficult to find anyone like him [Rashford] in England. That’s the one player now who has shown he is strong physically, fast technically and a good player.”
Whether Conte is still such a big admirer given Rashford’s recent form in the last 18 months remains to be seen but perhaps he is the manager that can help him find his form.
Rashford has been at United since 2005 when he joined the Academy age seven but it looks like we could have seen Rashford in Red for the last time with a move abroad the most likely scenario for the wantaway star.
