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A former head of the Red Devils believes a talismanic figure keeps his options open when it comes to his future
Marcus Rashford has left the door open for an outing from Old Trafford at some point, according to Louis van Gaal, who insists the Manchester United star has not said he would “never play for another club.”
Rashford has scored 79 goals in 234 appearances for United in all competitions since graduating from the senior team in 2015.
The 23-year-old, whose current contract runs through 2023, is now one of the first names on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team sheet, with his latest showing featured in a 3-2 win at Sheffield United last week. .
Rashford scored twice in that game to bring his season tally to 12 goals and will likely be back in United’s starting eleven when he hosts Leeds United on Sunday.
The England international will reportedly be rewarded for his performances with a lucrative new contract, after admitting he sees his future “long-term” in Manchester during an interview earlier this month.
“For me, I never look beyond Manchester United,” he said. “When I was a kid, I never looked beyond Manchester United. In my mind, it wouldn’t be right for me to put on another shirt.
“I just want to do my best for the club while I’m here. Hopefully in the long run.”
However, former United head coach Van Gaal believes Rashford deliberately stopped short before ruling out a transfer away from Old Trafford, and plenty of opportunities are likely to arise elsewhere if he continues on his current trajectory.
“I admire him for being such an honest and pure guy. He comes from an area where things are tough, “said the man who handed the talented young forward his first team debut four years ago. Mirror.
“And the way he’s fighting for the underprivileged kids is wonderful. He does many things for the community. He’s a great kid.
“I enjoyed hearing him say that he hopes to play for United for a long, long time.
But I listened carefully. And he didn’t say he would never play for another club. ”
Van Gaal praised Rashford for how he has developed his complete game, but he still sees plenty of room for him to improve, particularly when it comes to lifting his head in the last third of the field.
“When I first saw him, he was an old-fashioned dribbler. This is how he played in the reserves, “added the Dutch coach.
“He was accepting of people all the time, he passed them with lovely haggling. And he still loves doing that.
“But now he is growing as a top player. He knows that when he can’t do his dribbles, he needs to pass.
“When you have double scores, you need to make quick decisions and different options.
“I have noticed how he is giving more assists to the goals, the way he scans the field is good.
“You have to keep doing that, if you dribble too much you get stuck with the ball. When you give him space, he’s unstoppable. ”
