THE MIRROR
Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly said that he would have loved to have harnessed Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
The 27-year-old, who has made over 400 appearances since graduating from the club’s prestigious academy, was widely expected to spend his entire career at Old Trafford. However, with INEOS reportedly open to considering offers for him next month, the prospect of Rashford playing his football elsewhere for the first time ever has become a distinct possibility.
United have a tradition of nurturing academy talents and shaping them into first-team regulars. Notably, during Ferguson’s 27-year tenure, stars from the Class of ’92 such as Gary Neville, David Beckham and Paul Scholes went on to carve out legendary careers at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex appeared to earmark Rashford for a similar trajectory, having observed him break into the senior team as an exceptionally talented teenager. As per The Telegraph, United’s iconic former manager told those in his circle that he would have relished the opportunity to work with Rashford, emphasising the need to harness his skills for the benefit of the squad.
Rashford demonstrated his potential in the 2022/23 season when he netted 30 goals across all competitions, hinting at a transition from homegrown favourite to bona fide superstar, reports the Express. However, his form has since dipped significantly, with a return of 15 goals in 67 games since the start of last season – proving disappointing for a player commanding a reported weekly wage of more than £300,000.
Ferguson’s reported conviction is revealing, as it suggests that a series of United managers have struggled to consistently connect with Rashford in the way that the Scotsman himself might have been able to. Whether new boss Ruben Amorim can coax the best out of the England international in the five games leading up to the January transfer window remains uncertain.
Rashford has not been a guaranteed starter under the Portuguese manager, with Alejandro Garnacho being the preferred choice on the left and Rasmus Hojlund up front. It is understood that United need to offload players if they are to reinvest in Amorim’s squad this winter.
