A Manchester United icon has given Marcus Rashford the green light to join arch-rivals Liverpool – despite warning it would amount to the “ultimate betrayal”. The 28-year-old is set to return to Old Trafford this summer following a hugely successful season-long loan at Barcelona, where he tasted La Liga glory while chipping in with 14 goals and 14 assists.
The winger had been hoping to make the move permanent, but the Catalan giants opted to splash £70 million on his England team-mate Anthony Gordon instead. That leaves Rashford in an awkward position upon his return to Manchester after the World Cup.
The England international fell out of favour during Ruben Amorim’s spell in charge at United, eventually admitting he was “ready for a new challenge” away from his boyhood club. Rashford was subsequently placed in Amorim’s infamous “bomb squad” – a group of five players the Portuguese head coach was desperate to move on – resulting in loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
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Recent reports have linked Tottenham Hotspur with a move for Rashford as part of Roberto de Zerbi’s ambitious rebuild in north London. But United legend Teddy Sheringham, who famously scored the equaliser and assisted the winner in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, believes a shock move to Liverpool cannot be ruled out.
“Marcus Rashford to Liverpool would feel like the ultimate betrayal to Manchester United fans but what if Manchester United don’t want him?” Sheringham told ComeOn. “Then as a player you’ve got to do what’s best for you.”
Despite floating the prospect of a sensational move to Anfield, the former England striker stopped short of ruling out a future for Rashford at Old Trafford. Sheringham suggested there could still be a route back into the fold for the Manchester-born star, who still has two years left on his bumper £325,000 per week contract and will return to a very different Old Trafford under new boss Michael Carrick.
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“Manchester United should be in control of the Marcus Rashford situation, not Marcus Rashford. He is still a Manchester United player,” Sheringham said. “That’s what happens when you sign these big, long contracts, and he was happy to sign it at the time to get more money.
View 3 ImagesRashford notched up 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Barcelona last season(Image: Getty)
“All of a sudden, he’s not happy and he wants to leave. Back in my days as a player, if you had a contract, you weren’t going anywhere, and it works both ways too. If there’s a contract that’s been signed, both parties should honour that contract.
“But United can try and manipulate the situation to get the best outcome for what they need. He’s a United player so why not utilise that situation to get that extra forward back in the squad that Michael Carrick needs? Can they ease the situation and make it work? He’s playing at a World Cup and scoring goals. He’s in your squad. Make the most of it.
View 3 ImagesUnited legend Teddy Sheringham has suggested Rashford could make a sensational move to Liverpool this summer(Image: PA)
“If Rashford came back firing on all cylinders for Manchester United, working hard for the team at Old Trafford, then everyone is going to be happy, aren’t they? These things can quickly be forgotten in football.”
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