Manchester United building around surprise academy star following Marcus Rashford’s transfer decision

Marcus Rashford has reportedly informed Manchester United of his transfer decision this summer after INEOS identified a surprise academy player they want to build around at Old Trafford.

Reports on Monday afternoon spelt out a hard truth for many Manchester United players – Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s team will be open to reasonable offers for every single player in Erik ten Hag‘s squad this summer, apart from three.

Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Højlund are the only players considered untouchable at Carrington, and INEOS will refuse all offers, regardless of price.

Read More: “Horrific…” – Ben Foster slams two Man United players after Burnley draw

One interesting point that was made within the media was that Marcus Rashford, United’s most valued asset over the last five seasons, would be allowed to depart for the right price – which some say is at least £100 million this summer.

Further reports explained that Rashford would only be sold if the price was high enough to consider the sale and if he informed the club directly that he wanted to leave.

Rashford’s decision

However, a new report from journalist Graeme Bailey has now revealed that Rashford has told the club that he would like to stay beyond this summer window.

The report further explains that the winger has made it clear that he wants to repay the club’s faith in him as he realises that this season, where he has scored eight goals and registered five assists, has been below the standards he has previously set.

Rashford believes that he can still play a key role at Old Trafford going forward. His contract has four more years left—it does not expire until June 2028.

Surprise academy inclusion

United’s focus going forward will be on their academy. The academy has produced some fantastic talents in recent seasons, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, two teenagers who are firmly part of United’s first-team XI.

However, there is a third player mentioned that United reportedly want to build their team around, which may come as a surprise, and that’s 19-year-old French centre-back Willy Kambwala.

Kambwala’s inclusion may be somewhat unexpected, considering that the club reportedly want to sign two new centre-backs this summer and that the young defender has not been as crucial to United as Garnacho and Mainoo have.

Regardless of this, the club want Rashford to lead the academy set-up within the first team at the front, helping his fellow graduates make their mark at Old Trafford.