After last season’s disappointing league finish, new co-owners INEOS were reportedly looking to revamp the whole squad during the summer window.
A massive summer clearout was planned with only a handful of young stars considered unsellable which put a massive question mark on the futures of most of the big-name stars.
Marcus Rashford was one of them as off-field controversies overshadowed whatever little he delivered on the pitch. Despite earning a brand-new five year deal on the back of his most prolific season in red, the Mancunian delivered a below-par season, netting only eight times.
His relationship with Erik ten Hag also deteriorated and despite meetings behind the scenes, INEOS were reportedly open to his departure should any club offer a sizeable fee.
Rashford, Bruno exit rumours
Surprisingly, Bruno Fernandes’ name was also in the list of players the new co-owners were open to selling despite another brilliant season on a personal level.
Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League clubs were reportedly chasing his signature while the midfielder was also asking for a pay rise which bring his wages in line with other high-earners like the forward and Casemiro.
Givemesport have claimed that the duo are considered key assets up the pitch and while their exits would free up the wage bill considerably, it would weaken the team in a big way and Ten Hag does not want to entertain such thoughts with less than a month to go for the season to start.
“Manchester United are on course to keep Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford as they do not want to entertain sanctioning the departure of key assets with the Premier League campaign due to get underway in a matter of weeks, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
“Although sanctioning the departures would relieve some of the strain on the Red Devils’ wage bill, with the pair being on contracts worth a combined £540,000-per-week, ten Hag is aware that he would be left short of creativity in the final third of the pitch and have little time to find replacements.
“GMS sources have been informed that Rashford and Fernandes have not agitated for a move away from Old Trafford, and Manchester United were only willing to consider offloading them if it became clear that they were desperate to move onto pastures new as the fast-approaching season edges closer.”
Both are staying
The club’s decision to keep a hold of Ten Hag and bring in the likes of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee early on in the window has also pleased the Portuguese who wanted United to match his ambitions.
INEOS are certainly doing that and more and are showing that they mean business unlike the incompetent Glazers.
As for Rashford, Ten Hag had a discussion with the England international and there are plans to utilise him in a more dangerous manner which would maximise his output in the season to come.
Fans will be delighted that both players will be staying on and their form will be crucial if the Red Devils are to get back to the top four in the league.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
>
