Marcus Rashford is stalling over signing a new contract at Manchester United due to concerns over the direction the club is heading in following a disappointing campaign, according to the Sun.
The 21-year-old enjoyed one of the best spells of his career after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival in December, establishing himself as United’s leading striker ahead of Romelu Lukaku.
Like many of his teammates, though, Rashford’s form tailed off dramatically towards the end of the season as United won only two of their final 12 matches in all competitions.
Solskjaer is set to wield the axe on a number of his underperforming players but the club are keen to retain the services of Rashford long-term with his contract set to expire in 2020.
Although United can activate an optional one-year extension in Rashford’s existing deal, they are keen to lock him down beyond that and are reportedly willing to pay him £300,000 per week.
While those wages would signify a big hike on his estimated current salary of £80,000 per week, Rashford is believed to be seeking assurances over the club’s ambition moving forward.
Rashford came in for criticism from United supporters towards the end of the season but he is said to have impressed Barcelona and they will be monitoring his contract situation closely.
After United were beaten 2-0 by Cardiff City on the final day of the season, Rashford took to social media to say: ‘Next season we need to get back to how Manchester United play, for me that’s most important.
‘We need to find that willingness and respond the right way.’
Rashford ended the season with ten goals and six assists in 33 Premier League appearances and has been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the UEFA Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands next month.
