Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side got a fantastic 2-1 Manchester derby win last Sunday. The Red Devils overcame Manchester City despite going 1-0 behind early on, with Amad Diallo starring once again. He won the penalty that Bruno Fernandes coolly converted, before grabbing the winner himself just moments later.
It was a fantastic day at the office for United, who once again defended diligently and created some big chances, which, of course, they capitalised on. There were some bold calls from Amorim, who dropped two of United’s stars from the squad. Neither Alejandro Garnacho nor Marcus Rashford played any part in the game.
That has certainly thrown Rashford’s future at the club up in the air.
Why Rashford could leave Man United
United academy graduate Rashford has been the face of Old Trafford for a number of years. In a decade of inconsistency and poor performances, he has often been the man who could provide a bright spark.
However, it has been another tough campaign so far for the 27-year-old. He is failing to hit the numbers in front of goal that might be expected of him, with seven goals and three assists in 24 games across competitions. According to a report from the Guardian, ‘Amorim has decided Rashford needs to leave’ the club ‘to engineer a shift in culture’ at Old Trafford.
Indeed, his record for the club is exceptional. Since breaking into the first team, back in 2015/16 under Louis van Gaal, he has gone on to play 426 times for the club, scoring 138 times and grabbing 64 assists. His best campaign came in 2022/23 when he scored 30 times and grabbed nine assists in 56 games.
At his very best, Rashford can be absolutely deadly, and opposition managers have previously spoken highly of him. One of those is Barcelona legend Xavi, who explained the England international is “one of the most dangerous players now in Europe” back in 2023.
Sadly, United fans haven’t really seen that version of the Wythenshawe-born star for some time. Rashford might well leave the club, meaning United would have to replace their number 10. They have already been linked with one potential replacement.
Man United would 'love' amazing Rashford replacement
The man in question here, remarkably, is Real Madrid winger Kylian Mbappe. It has not been long since he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu, although he has already been linked with a departure. If that does materialise, United ‘would love’ to try and sign him, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
On the face of things, it would be an odd move considering it goes against everything Sir Jim Ratcliffe said when he bought a stake in the club. He explained that “I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success”, ironic given the club could now do just that.
With that being said, the new United owner hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory or fulfilled promises so far at Old Trafford, making some unpopular choices including hiking the ticket prices up to £66.
Despite Ratcliffe’s words, there is no doubt Mbappe would be a fantastic signing. He is an extraordinary talent, described as the “best player in the world” by former PSG captain Domi.
Many say he has had a slow start to life in Madrid, but that is because the £121m-rated star is held him to such high standards. In 22 games for Los Blancos, he has 12 goals and two assists, with nine of those strikes coming in La Liga and a debut goal against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.
After bursting onto the scene at AS Monaco is PSG’s all-time top goalscorer, with 256 goals in 308 appearances, and is only ten goals away from becoming France’s all-time top scorer too, with 48 to his name so far.
This term, the 25-year-old is outperforming Rashford in several key metrics, as well as outsourcing the Englishman. According to Squawka, the Frenchman averages more goals per game than United’s homegrown forward, with 0.7 compared to 0.4. He also completes more take-ons, with 2.6 to Rashford’s 0.9.
Shots
3.4
1.1
Shots on target
2.5
0.9
Goals
0.7
0.4
Conversion rate
18.75%
36.36%
Take-ons completed
2.6
0.9
Take-on success %
45.12%
25.71
Singing Mbappe would be a big statement for United. As unlikely as it might seem at this moment, there is believed to be interest from the Red Devils.
Losing Rashford would sting for many reasons, but replacing him with a player who many, including Enrqiue, consider the best player in the world, would perhaps make up for it.
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ByGeorge Light