Louis van Gaal insists Marcus Rashford is not yet ready for the Manchester United first team.
The 18-year-old’s seven goals in 13 senior games would suggest otherwise but van Gaal has a point.
Rashford is a goal-scorer – of that there is no doubt – and he can run all day. The other parts of his game should come, in time, but that usually happens as a young player eases himself into a senior set-up.
At present, Rashford is only set to finish up at school this summer. He does not have an agent yet but is represented by his older brother, Dwaine Maynard, with support from Danny Welbeck’s siblings.
United have reportedly offered Rashford a new deal that will see him on £15,000 for the next two seasons. The deal itself will be of the six-year variety but there is said to be enclosed clauses that would spark a renegotiation or two.
Last weekend, we reported that Roc Nation – a talent agency run by music impresario Jay-Z – was interested in signing Rashford up.
Marcus Rashford's performances have impressed so much that Jay Z wants to sign him to Roc Nation https://t.co/9iZ5CmjjuK
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 17, 2016
This morning, The Times claim that Jorge Mendes is one of four other high-profile agents looking to add the striker to their roster. The paper states:
“Paul Stretford, who has overseen Wayne Rooney’s career, and Aidy Ward, who helped Raheem Sterling to leave Liverpool for Manchester City for £50 million last summer, have both offered Rashford their services.
“Stellar, the agency run by Jonathan Barnett and David Manasseh that boasts Gareth Bale on its extensive client list, also holds an interest in Rashford.”
Throw in Mendes (agent to Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho) to the mix and you are beginning to get the idea that Rashford will soon be on more than £15,000.
For his sake, let’s hope the teenager can stay as grounded as is humanly possible.
