Marcus Rashford has been on the fringes of the Manchester United squad over the past 18 months, after struggling for consistency due to numerous injuries and underwhelming team performances.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he is being linked with a move away, as Paris Saint-Germain eye up a potential deal for the English forward.
There are conflicting reports though, as other sources have indicated that Rashford doesn't see his future anywhere else other than at United.
While on first thoughts it might seem like a certain no, a move for Rashford could prove to be beneficial for both him and United.
So here are three reasons why United should keep Rashford, as well as three reasons why they should sell him this summer.
1) Keep: Key squad member
One of the main reasons as to why United cannot afford to sell Rashford is that he's set to be a key member of Erik ten Hag's team this season, as was indicated in pre-season.
If pre-season games are anything to go by, the Dutch manager seems keen to deploy a front three of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Rashford, with all three fitting into the dynamic system the former Ajax tactician wants to implement at Old Trafford.
While he has been underperforming for a while, it will be difficult to find a replacement for him so late in the window, and there is no guarantee that whoever comes in will actually settle.
1) Sell: Inconsistency
When Rashford burst onto the scene in a Louis van Gaal side that struggled for goals, he was a breath of fresh air, bringing energy to a side that severely lacked options up front.
While he managed to fight through the numerous managers that would follow and produce a steady return of goals over the years, even when shifted to the wings or when he was not guaranteed a starting spot, last season was massively underwhelming.
Registering just five goals and two assists in all competitions, he struggled to get any maintain any sort of form despite taking some time off at the start of the season to recover from a should injury that had troubled him for a couple of seasons.
What makes it worse, was that even when he had his most prolific season in terms of goals and assists in 2020/21, his performances were still disappointing, with his goals often being the few bright sparks to his displays.
2) Keep: Lack of squad depth
Selling Rashford at this stage of the window, with the season already underway, would essentially be United shooting themselves in the foot.
Even if he stays, United still need to sign more players for depth in attack, with their natural options on the wings being him, Martial, Sancho, Anthony Elanga and more unproven players like Facundo Pellistri, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, which has often led to the likes of Bruno Fernandes being shifted out to the wings to accomodate the lack of options.
Given Cristiano Ronaldo's uncertain future as well, Rashford needs to stay at the club to prove some more options up front as well, as if the Portuguese forward leaves, then Martial and Rashford are the only players capable of playing the position.
Antony and Cody Gakpo have been lined up as potential options, but a move for the Brazilian seems unlikely given Ajax's asking price, and signing Gakpo will be a risky decision. Shipping out Rashford could have been a decent decision a month ago, not now.
2) Sell: Generating funds
Rashford is undoubtedly one of the few players at United that still has quite a high price value.
Realistically, United could get at least £45 million for the 24-year-old, and given United's lack of spending so far this window, those funds could go a long way in terms of signing a replacement and possibly going for some more depth in other areas as well.
The only other outgoings that could generate anywhere near that value would be those of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and possibly the likes of Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Martial, but that's pushing it.
PSG have shown a willingness to go big for transfer fees in the past, yet it remains to be seen whether they will be keen to do so for such a hit or miss forward.
3) Keep: Faith he'll come good
At the end of the day, there are several other players that have to leave the club before Rashford.
The likes of Tahith Chong, Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe all represent possible ways United could generate some more funds that could be reinvested in other positions, before actually selling Rashford.
There is still faith he could slot in ten Hag's side and reinvigorate his United career, especially since the system seems to be heavily reliant on wing play, and with the likes of Fernandes and Christian Eriksen pulling the strings, Rashford will surely get plenty of chances to add to his goalscoring tally this season.
These reports of a move could all just be with the intention of getting a new deal at United, but if that is the case, then wouldn't it be more straightforward if he pushed himself to get back into good form and earn the contract? Definitely seems simpler than getting a move away.
3) Sell: Final year of contract
Rashford has now entered the final year of his contract at the club, and while there is a reported option to extend for another year, if there is a time to cash in on him, this seems like a better time to do so than losing him out on a free later on in the season.
While he is definitely more complete as a player than he was when he first joined the first-team in 2016, his progress has stalled and he has arguably regressed from the highs of 2020 and 2021.
At the rate things are going for him and United, this might be the only chance for them to get anything close to their desired transfer fee for him, especially if he ends up struggling this season.
Whatever ends up happening with Rashford, it definitely seems too late for him to get a move away, and he doesn't seem like one that would push for a transfer out of his boyhood club, but ultimately, you never know with United.
