Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stated that contract talks with Marcus Rashford will take place after the World Cup.
Rashford’s comeback has continued in Qatar, where he has three goals and is joint-top of the Golden Boot rankings despite only starting one game.
That will only increase United’s desire to keep Rashford, who may currently speak to foreign teams about a move in January.
According to the Athletic, United aims to iron out Rashford’s future after the World Cup, with Ten Hag personally preparing to speak to players with expiring contracts after the event.
They report that talks with Rashford are at the top of Ten Hag’s agenda for when United’s players return to the fold and action after the World Cup.
The report says that United need to decide whether they can agree on a new contract between now and when the January window opens.
If not, they will look to amicably activate the 12-month option in his current deal first, then negotiate after that with less time pressure.
That might be a more sensible solution, but the bedrock to it all is Rashford feeling more confident and valued at United under the new manager.
It remains to be seen whether Rashford starts for England against Senegal tomorrow, with Gareth Southgate having a host of wide options.
Rashford is the most dangerous and in-form of the group, but his speed may make him more effective as a substitute once the game has opened up.
The good news for United supporters is that Rashford has continued to thrive in a competition where other Red Devils, such as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, have also performed well.
That is an indication of the progress achieved under Ten Hag, and Rashford appears more likely than ever to want to devote his future.
