MARCUS RASHFORD may be moody — but he can still be magnificent again for Manchester United.
SunSport revealed this month that the Old Trafford money men are willing to listen to offers for the homegrown star.
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This follows a slump that saw him bag just eight goals last season after a career-best 30 in the 2022-23 campaign.
Rarely did the England forward’s face crack into a smile on the pitch, while his relationship with boss Erik ten Hag went through the floor.
Yet Mark Hughes insists his former club would be “crazy” not to try to keep Rashford.
The Red Devils legend said: “It’s well-documented that the coffers are anything but full for this summer’s market.
“No doubt more players will be sold but if they can get him back to where he was the season before last when he was excellent, they are quids-in.
“They then have a world-class player again. The potential and the capacity to get back to that level is there.
“Everybody knows that and it would be a shame for United to lose that — and for Marcus.”
Rashford and Ten Hag ended up barely on speaking terms after the striker rang in sick following a night out in Ireland in January.
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The Dutchman was already angry that Rashford had been spotted in a nightclub celebrating his 26th birthday hours after a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in October.
England boss Gareth Southgate jettisoned the 60-cap striker from his Euros squad.
And United fans who idolised the lad from Wythenshawe had gone cold on him by the end of last season, too.
Those supporters believed Rashford’s body language and seemingly sulky attitude told the tale that he wanted out after almost 20 years at the club and 131 goals for the first team.
But Hughes insists you cannot always judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to a player who reminds him so much of himself.
The Welshman went by the nickname of Sparky but was hardly the life and soul of the party.
Like Rashford he could appear cold, despite bagging 163 goals for United.
He even left Manchester in 1986 for an ill-fated spell at Barcelona before returning to finish with two Premier League titles to add to three FA Cup wins, a League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Hughes, now 60 and a former Wales chief, said: “I was quite introverted as a player, that’s my personality.
“There’s nothing wrong with that and Marcus seems to be that way inclined as well.
“Sometimes the way you look, maybe your facial expression, can be misinterpreted.
“People might think you are not concerned, or the result or performance doesn’t bother you because you’re not one to show too much emotion.
“But deep down you feel as strongly as anybody. Certainly, I did, and I believe that’s the case with Marcus too.
“I was a bit better at showing emotion on the pitch than off it.
“I can understand why people would think, for example, that I got the nickname ‘Sparky’ as a joke because I was so quiet in the dressing room.
“But it was just the way I was. I didn’t feel I needed any help from the manager or the players around me.
“I just needed to know that I was appreciated and that I was going to play. Marcus may not exactly look the picture of happiness but I guarantee that out there his heart will pound as hard as anyone. I was that way.
“Scoring goals is the greatest feeling in the world and to be fair Marcus doesn’t look like he’s enjoyed it as much as he should.
“Maybe if he showed the joy a little bit more, people wouldn’t put a label on him.”
Hughes also sees similarities in the way United are considering selling Rashford, they would want £80million, and his own departure to Barca 38 years ago.
But he warned that BOTH sides could get it wrong if Rashford leaves.
Hughes recalled: “In my case it got to the point where everybody thought I was going anyway, so they didn’t try that hard to keep me.
“They just tried to get the best deal for United when, deep down, I didn’t really want to go.
“Deep down I wanted United to say to me ‘Listen, you’re not going, we’ll make you happy here’.
“I wasn’t on great money. I think six months before I left for Barca I was on £150 a week — not exactly a huge amount of money even then.
“But it was never about the money. I just wanted them to tell me ‘you’re here for the next five years and let’s get on with it’.
“That never happened. There were too many assumptions that I wanted to go which wasn’t the case.
“I’m sure, still, that United ARE telling Marcus what I wanted to hear back then. They would be crazy not to be doing that.
“He’s an outstanding player, still arguably one of the best players in the Premier League.”
Hughes, who has bossed six Prem clubs, added: “Last season for whatever reason, he wasn’t at the level that we all know he’s capable of reaching.
“The challenge for Ten Hag and his coaching team, especially Ruud van Nistelrooy now that he’s back, will be to get him back up there.
“And that would be the best for both parties.
“Make no mistake, Marcus may look moody but he’s still world-class and — like me — he’s United through and through.”
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SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives its verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.