Last week, it was confirmed that Matheus Cunha will be Manchester United’s new No. 10, taking the shirt away from Marcus Rashford and further pushing the Englishman out the door.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a move away from Manchester United for many months now, having stated last autumn that he feels the time has come for a new challenge.
After being frozen out by Ruben Amorim and sent on loan to Aston Villa, it was clear that the story was coming to a close between United and Rashford.
Many still hoped that the English winger could work his way back into United’s plans, especially if the club can’t sell him, but this doesn’t seem like a possibility.
It was expected that Matheus Cunha, who remains Ruben Amorim’s only signing this summer, would get the 27-year-old’s number 10 shirt, but only once Rashford had departed – the club, however, seem to have wasted no time here.
But the question lies, is the club doing the right thing here? UtdDistrict explore this topic further.
Rashford should leave on good terms
Having been at the club since he was nine years old, Rashford graduated from the academy to score and assist more than 200 goals for the club.
The Englishman won United’s Player of the Year award in 2022/23 and has delivered some truly memorable performances and moments. He has been a shining light for the club in what were otherwise very dark years.
Rashford has been an inspiration to all young players at the club, having been very supportive of the academy players. Many have credited him as a great help to their careers, including the likes of Kobbie Mainoo.
In addition to all this, he has also been a credit to the club through his charity and social work, taking a stand against racism and famously fighting against food inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the journey he has been on with the club, it is only right to let him leave with some dignity. Being forced out of the door in this manner is not correct and is no way to treat a player like Rashford.
What if he doesn’t leave?
In a world where Rashford can’t agree on an exit this summer and has to stay, United have a problem, and it will be one they have made for themselves.
Right now, Marcus Rashford is at Carrington for pre-season training. If no agreement can be reached, what happens next?
Do United freeze him out again, whilst paying his wages and being in desperate need of attacking quality? Or do they then have to scramble to try and make amends, after having done as much as they can to push him out? Not a strong position to be in.
Whilst it is an unlikely possibility that he stays, the Reds have not carried themselves well, and that will become an issue if Marcus Rashford does remain at the club. This is because they then have to try to get the best out of a player with whom they have burned their bridge.
A shirt number is a shirt number, but it’s the principle that’s the issue here, and the message it sends to the player. Some could argue that United’s ruthlessness is a good thing, which, on some level, is true, but this is not the way to act.
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