Manchester United’s woes this season have been epitomised over the international break, with there notably having not been a single Red Devils representative named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
With the likes of Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo all making their respective returns from injury, United’s only connection to the Three Lions this time around was that of Marcus Rashford, albeit with the 27-year-old currently on loan at Aston Villa.
The Old Trafford outcast started in both games against Albania and Latvia, although endured two mixed performances on the flanks, with Tuchel admitting that he had “spoken” to both Rashford and Phil Foden following Friday’s win.
The United academy graduate has, it must be said, enjoyed a lively start to life at Villa Park after racking up four assists from just nine outings for his new side, yet the wait goes on to break his duck in the Midlands.
Even amid the shortage of attacking depth in Ruben Amorim’s ranks, few will be truly lamenting the decision to loan out Rashford back in January, with it already looking like the end of his lengthy association with the Manchester side.
Why Marcus Rashford should be sold this summer
It is now just over nine years ago that a teenage Rashford burst onto the scene following that brace against FC Midtjylland in February 2016, with the 18-year-old capitalising on a centre-forward injury crisis to force his way into Louis van Gaal’s senior set-up.
A further 136 goals and 425 games have followed in the time since, although it would appear that the forward’s time at Old Trafford has come to its conclusion, not least with Villa holding a £40m option to buy this summer.
Not long ago, Rashford had looked almost “unstoppable” after returning from the 2022 World Cup, as per then-boss Erik ten Hag, with the Englishman ultimately finishing that 2022/23 campaign with 30 goals to his name at club level.
£300k-per-week deal in the summer of 2023, albeit with the long-serving star failing to kick on since then, having scored just eight times last season.
A muted start to the current campaign, which yielded just seven goals, was followed by an imposed exile amid Amorim’s appointment, with Rashford having not been seen in a United shirt since being left out for the Manchester Derby back in December.
Previously described as a “major major problem” for the club by journalist Liam Canning, Rashford did himself outline his desire for a “new challenge” late last year, with talk of a dream move to Barcelona on the cards, prior to his switch to Villa.
That now looks to have marked the beginning of the end for his United journey – hopefully the same isn’t true of Kobbie Mainoo.
Man Utd have struck gold on Rashford 2.0
Despite the way it appears to be ending, Rashford’s spell at United has largely represented a real bright spot in an at times bleak post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with the forward’s rise from academy prospect to first-team talisman having been simply meteoric.
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Now, amid the ongoing PSR restrictions, cashing in on the Manchester-born striker would represent astute business for the club, particularly if that £40m price tag is met.
While there may also be a temptation to nudge other academy talents towards the exit door, it would be a crying shame for young Mainoo to follow suit, despite talk surrounding a £70m move to Chelsea back in January.
Player
Current club
Market value
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United
£38m
Scott McTominay
Napoli
£34m
Mason Greenwood
Marseille
£29m
Anthony Elanga
Nottingham Forest
£29m
Dwight McNeil
Everton
£21m
Angel Gomes
Lille
£17m
Andreas Pereira
Fulham
£17m
James Garner
Everton
£17m
There have been whispers in recent months that the teenager may even look to move abroad after a stall in contract talks, albeit with a more recent update indicating that the latest negotiations over a new deal have been ‘positive’.
The 19-year-old has endured an injury-hit season, although it was not too long ago that he looked the type of player that United should be building around – a point that pundit Jack Wilshere also thought was true at international level:
“‘Kobbie Mainoo has shown he is the player that England need to build their midfield - and their team – around.”
Who can forget the midfielder’s decisive strike in the FA Cup final, nor his delightful, curling effort in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Those moments of magic had come following a sublime solo goal away at Molineux in the 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers back in February 2024.
Described as a “generational talent” by teammate Rasmus Hojlund, Mainoo – who started every knockout stage game at Euro 2024 – hasn’t enjoyed a smooth ride under the new Amorim regime, although he did showcase his credentials in a number ten berth after scoring and assisting away at FCSB.
In truth, the United boss must find a home for the midfield maestro in his 3-4-3 set-up, with it likely to represent a real waste of talent and potential if Mainoo simply tumbles down the pecking order.
Indeed, the youngster’s status is indicated best by the fact that he is now worth around £46m, according to Transfermarkt, placing him ahead of that man Rashford in that regard, with the latter man deemed to be worth £42m.
Having followed in his teammate’s footsteps after rising from the youth ranks, Mainoo can now kick on and show just why he is United and England’s future. Rashford, meanwhile, could well be resigned to the past on both fronts.
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1 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 25, 2025