Marcus Rashford is set to sign a new five-year contract at Man United after reaching an agreement in principle with the club.
Rashford, 25, had entered the final year of his current deal but will soon put pen to paper on renewed terms, which are likely to include a significant pay rise on his £200,00-a-week ages. The England international rejected lucrative proposals from Premier League rivals and clubs abroad in favour of committing his future to United until 2028.
Paris Saint-Germain had been most heavily linked regarding a move for Rashford, especially in light of potentially losing star player Kylian Mbappe. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, however, maintained that he was confident the 25-year-old would reach an agreement with his boyhood club over a new contract, having first made his debut in 2016 aged 18, and the Dutchman is poised to be proven right.
“I expect Marcus Rashford to renew,” Ten Hag told Viaplay in May. “He wants it. Manchester United wants it. He is a child of this club, so I assume this will happen.”
Both parties have indeed got their wish, with Rashford finishing his maiden campaign under Ten Hag on 30 goals. But his manager still wants more next term, adding: “I am happy that finally a player of Manchester United is able to score 30 goals again. But next year the numbers have to be higher.”
The United academy graduate, who joined the club’s youth setup when he was seven, recently rubbished reports claiming that he was demanding £500,000 per week to sign a new deal. “Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It’s complete nonsense,” Rashford wrote on Instagram.
“The club and myself have been respectful to one another, and that’s how it will remain. My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies.”
The uncertainty over Rashford’s future being ended means that Ten Hag and the Red Devils hierarchy have one less issue heading into their pre-season tour of the United States. Up first, though, is a trip to Edinburgh on Wednesday, when United will face French giants Lyon.
Rashford is back in training alongside his fellow international stars but may not feature north of the border. “Those players, most of them will not show up in Edinburgh, as well, because they need time and to have a good training week,” Ten Hag said after the Red Devils beat Leeds 2-0 in their first pre-season friendly.
“They had to have days off and relaxation. Those players played most games in the last season, so they needed that rest. So then we have to bring them back, but you have to do it carefully – you can’t go from zero to 100.”