Ten Hag says United do not plan to sell Rashford and forward ‘should be part of project’
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United have no intention of selling Marcus Rashford this summer.
After signing a new five-year deal after hitting 30 goals last season, the 26- year-old academy product has scored just seven times in a poor campaign for all connected to the club.
Rashford was this week again linked with a move to Paris St Germain, which could provide United with a huge windfall at a time of Premier League profit and sustainability considerations. It would represent pure profit on that front as he is a home grown player but ten hag says financial benefits are outweighed by the importance of the forward to the future.
"We didn't re-sign him last season for (five) years with the intention to sell him, no," Ten Hag said. "He should be part of this project, so that is not a subject we talk about."
Ten Hag was speaking ahead of tomorrow's crunch FA Cup quarter-final against rivals Liverpool – a match that may go some way to deciding whether the manager remains part of the now Ineos-led project. Injury-hit United have endured a tough season and need to overcome jurg en kl opp' ss idea told Trafford to keep their last hope of silverware alive.
They sit sixth in the Premier League and face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League but Ten Hag hopes the game can act as a catalyst to transform their season.
"Actually, we never got to turn around so far," Ten Hag said. "We had our opportunities, but we missed the opportunities( to turn things around).
"Sunday we have another good opportunity to get the momentum. i think the players, the team showed lately from January on we are in a very good series of games with a lot of wins, so they have to believe they can do it.
"That is also what I feel when I train with them, during and around the games; that they have that belief, a good confidence, good spirit is there in the team. Go and play and get the turnaround."
United are underdogs for the quarter-final but Ten Hag expects to be boosted by the return to fitness of Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-bissaka.