Can 'realist' Rashford turn this situation around? And does he want to?
- Published
It is being suggested to me by sources close to Marcus Rashford that he is in an emotional frame of mind, as far as his Manchester United career is concerned, has no desire to leave Old Trafford and, in an ideal world, would return to Ruben Amorim's starting line-up, stay there and move on.
However, Rashford is a realist.
He watched Sunday's victory at Manchester City in front of a TV at home.
Amorim might have massaged the situation by saying this was a new week, but Rashford and the people closest to him have been around long enough to know new bosses can make a big impact by leaving out a big name - and the big name tends to be someone who is not pivotal to their plans.
A January move is not straightforward. Paris St-Germain are the club most linked with Rashford. They are also the club to distance themselves from a transfer most often.
Aside from Casemiro, Rashford is United's highest earner and not many clubs in the world could match his wages.
At 27 years old, and theoretically in the prime stage of his career, Rashford might be someone of major interest to the Saudi Pro League - but would that appeal to Rashford? Some who know the player suggest not.
Rashford has witnessed a shining example of someone who has turned a bleak situation around. Erik ten Hag did not want Harry Maguire - and had Maguire been ambivalent about his situation, he would be long gone by now.
But Maguire stuck it out, won his place back and ended up lasting longer than Ten Hag.
Rashford has the ability to turn this situation around, but his words suggest very strongly that is not his current mindset.
He is ready for a new challenge but the secondary part remains: where?
Does Rashford still have a future at Old Trafford? Would it be a mistake to let the forward leave?
