Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United ready to open contracts talks with Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw with both men considered key assets
According to ESPN, Manchester United are ready to open contract talks with first-team stars Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw in a bid to keep them at Old Trafford for a few more years, as the club considers them key assets.
Rashford came through the ranks at Carrington to establish himself in the first team, with the academy graduate becoming an instant fan favourite following his goal-scoring debuts in the Europa League and Premier League.
Shaw, meanwhile, was brought to the Theatre of Dreams from Southampton as a teenager. Since his move, he has become the first-choice at left-back in the team under all the managers that he has played for at Manchester. However, his recent form has seen Alex Telles get ample game time as well.
Apart from the English pair, former Sporting CP skipper Bruno Fernandes will also be handed a new contract by the Premier League side to reward him for his impressive performances on the pitch, ever since he completed a move in the January transfer window in 2020.
Important members of the squad
It is said that United want to push ahead with talks over new deals for Shaw and Rashford, despite the uncertainty at the club surrounding the identity of their next permanent manager. Ralf Rangnick is expected to give up his role as head coach in the summer, and a new boss will be in charge of the side next term.
The Red Devils consider Fernandes, Rashford, and Shaw to be important members of the squad – proven by their decision to extend the players’ contracts coming without the consent of the new manager- whoever that turns out to be. Despite Rashford’s decision to consider his future at his boyhood club given his poor form this season, the 24-year-old is said to be ‘open-minded‘ about his future and is in no rush to sign a new deal.
Rashford and Shaw’s performances for United have also seen them become regular England internationals, with the pair turning out for the Three Lions in the UEFA Euros 2020 tournament last summer. Shaw also got on the scoresheet in the final of the competition, but he could not help his country to the trophy as they crashed out on penalties, with Rashford missing a spot-kick.
Since then, the Red Devils attacker has looked short on confidence and form for his club. The player seems to be struggling to find the back of the net, and as a result, he has fallen down the pecking order behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani – both of whom are in their late 30s.
Shaw has been a little out of touch this season as well, with the 26-year-old being rotated by Rangnick with deputy left-back Alex Telles at times. Though he is still very much the first choice in his position, his performance levels have taken a hit this term.
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Despite this, it is encouraging to see United back these players up and draw up plans to reward them for their performances in the past with a new contract offer. However, it remains to be seen if both stars will accept the new deals, especially Rashford, who has been the subject of speculation in recent times regarding a move away from his boyhood club.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani’s age and Mason Greenwood’s suspension, the need for a young attacker at Old Trafford is high. Losing Rashford amidst all this would be a blow for sure.
