Manchester United are off for awhile, on the World Cup break, so now is the perfect time to talk some transfer rumors. There are a couple United friendlies between now and when the Premier League season resumes, but for the most part it is now silly season.
Let’s roll with it. Marcus Rashford is burning it up at the World Cup right now, and United are wanting to lock him up long term.
Three goals in three World Cup games for Marcus Rashford – looks completely different player in the last few months. ????????? #Qatar2022
?? Current deal expires in June 2023;
?? Man United have option to extend until June 2024;
?? …but Man United will offer him new long term deal. pic.twitter.com/k5fUNKoPuQ— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 29, 2022
That’s according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, as you can see the Tweet above. We have more on the Rashford situation over at this link.
Another player on a purple patch right now in Qatar is Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo.
As was chronicled in the summer, United are very interested in signing the scoring sensation. Erik ten Hag, utilizing his strong connections to everything Dutch football, hopes to get this deal with PSV Eindhoven over the line as soon as it is possible to do so. And according to Relevo, Ten Hag sees him as the preferred option to replacing Cristiano Ronaldo.
More on that here, and again here. United will face heavy competition for Gakpo, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea also interested in the budding superstar.
Speaking of Ronaldo, it remains to be seen where he lands next, but maybe he really will take his talents to Saudi Arabia?
This one has been discussed for some time already, and we have more on this narrative over at this link.
Paul M. Banks is the Owner/Manager of The Sports Bank and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly contributed to WGN News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.