It was in the Eurocup final that Marcus Rashford donned the England shirt for the last time and, since that fateful night, nothing has gone right for the Manchester United star.
He had to have surgery on his shoulder for a long-standing problem and when he returned, his confidence seemed lost and his head would droop at the slightest hint of a problem.
He lost his place to former caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick and there were reports linking him to a departure from his boyhood club last summer.
The Rashford Revival
But after the arrival of Erik ten Hag, the Mancunian seems to be enjoying his football once again and the coach’s confidence in him as a striker has helped him rediscover his scoring touch.
The 25-year-old is United’s top scorer this season with eight goals and he also has three assists in 19 games in all competitions.
Three goals in three World Cup games for Marcus Rashford – a completely different player has been seen in recent months. #Qatar2022
▫️ The current contract expires in June 2023; ▫️ Man United have the option to extend it until June 2024; ▫️ … but Man United will offer him a new long-term contract. pic.twitter.com/k5fUNKoPuQ
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2022
His impressive return to form alerted Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate who called him up for the World Cup. And once again, Rashford has not disappointed.
The United academy graduate has scored three goals in three group stage matches and is the joint top scorer in the competition. Even more impressive, United No 10 have found success down the right flank.
Interestingly, his contract with United is set to expire in 2023 and the club have the option to exercise the one-year extension clause in his contract.
Contract extension talk
United are in talks with the player’s entourage and hope to agree a new long-term contract soon.
But with the England star busy with the World Cup, there is no set timetable and foreign clubs can start negotiations with the Manchester-born lad from January 1.
And The Mirror has now reported that United want to prevent this.
“Rashford’s current contract expires next summer, but there is a 12-month option that United intend to exercise to prevent him from speaking to foreign clubs from January 1,” the report said.
United remain confident that Rashford will eventually stay thanks to encouraging discussions with the player and his determination to regain his place in the first-team squad.
“Rashford’s priority remains to stay at Old Trafford and he dismissed any possibility of a move last summer as he was so determined to stay and fight for his place,” the article added.
