It should have been a Manchester derby to celebrate for the Red Devils led by Ruben Amorim after they beat Manchester City 2-1 thanks to a pair of late goals. Instead, the aftermath has led to questions about the futures of key players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho ahead of a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham on Thursday (you can catch all the action on Biggest+ And CBS Sports Network). The duo were left out of United’s squad for their win over Manchester City and had a very different start to the following week.
Garnacho received a Puskas’ Award for his goal against Everton last season, while Rashford has hinted his time at United may be coming to an end. Rashford, an academy product who is only 27, has had quite a journey for the Red Devils, but his preferred position on the left flank does not suit Amorim’s 3-4-3, with the two forwards taking up close attacking positions in support a striker, usually Rasmus Hojlund.
“For me personally, I think I am ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford told Henry Winter. “If I leave, there will be no hard feelings.” You won’t get any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“If I know a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen other players leave in the past and I don’t want to be that person. If I leave, I will make sure an explanation and it will be mine.”
These are comments that make it seem like Rashford’s time at United could be coming to an end, despite scoring 87 goals for the club in 287 appearances. Rashford should be in the prime of his career but tough decisions need to be made, and his wages and performances recently explain why Rashford’s time at United could be coming to an end, while 20-year-old Garnacho should be given opportunities to make good on his talent .
Even if Rashford leaves, his salary of $400,000 per week will make it difficult to find a suitorbut when comparing his performances with Garnacho’s since the start of the 2023-2024 season in the Premier League and in Europe, it tells quite a story.
|
Marcus Rashford |
3860 |
12 |
10.13 |
6 |
5.19 |
|
Alejandro Garnacho |
4135 |
12 |
15.63 |
5 |
4.18 |
Both players were quite close in their performances, but that’s more an indictment of Rashford’s fall as a double-figure goalscorer in four of the five Premier League seasons between 2018 and 2023. Given the problems surrounding United with changing managers and their slide under Erik ten Hag, this may not all be a problem for Rashford specifically, but such a slide is a clear reason why a change of scenery could benefit both sides. .
Meanwhile, Garnacho lacks consistency, but the flashes of a great player are still there. These are similar signs that Rashford had early in his career, and consistency comes with repetition and a consistent routine for young players. Although Amorim appears to be taking an authoritarian stance with his management of United, if Garnacho can hold out, there is a budding star who could help the side get back on the big stage.
Already on the Argentina national team radar and if he scores goals like this in the Premier League, there is an electric player who can take the league by storm.
It’s important to remember how young Garnacho is and that young players have bumps in their path as they discover what it means to be a professional. There are some lines that cannot be crossed depending on what led to them being left out of the Manchester derby squad, but that is also something that needs to be worked out between Garnacho and Amorim. If they can come to an agreement while Garnacho’s decision-making is cleaned up a bit, the next wave of United Academy products could begin to form.
Amad Diallo is already coming into his own, while Kobbie Mainoo has shown he is a great player, which could make Amroim’s job easier over the summer as he draws up a list of what he needs to add. The road ahead is a long one, but the coming weeks could provide clarity about the future for Untied and their academy players.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday December 19 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London
- Live stream: Biggest+
- Chances: Tottenham+125; Sign +280; Manchester United +170