Manchester United Transfer News: Marcus Rashford Contract Talks, Latest Rumours

Manchester United’s young forward Marcus Rashford is reportedly set to be handed a new deal by the club, although it’s claimed the teenager will not pen any extension until the end of the season.

According to Darren Lewis and David McDonnell writing in the Daily Mirror, the youngster is to be offered a substantial pay rise, although he’s unlikely to sign for now. Indeed, it’s claimed in the piece that “the 18-year-old wants to postpone talks until the end of the season—so he can prove he is the real deal.”

Lewis and McDonnell write that Rashford will be tabled a new weekly salary of £10,000, more than six times his current pay packet of £1,500.

“Rashford, who has been at United since he was nine, has 18 months left on his current contract and is desperate to remain at the club,” continues the piece. “Mirror Sport understands he has no intention of trying to engineer a move away and has been more ­worried about his prospects of earning a new deal.”

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The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene with four goals in two appearances for the Red Devils, giving plenty at Old Trafford a lift in what’s been a disappointing season for the club overall.

It’s certainly been a breathtaking beginning to life at Old Trafford for the forward, who has stood out with his mature play, physicality and intelligence in the penalty area. Breathe Sport put his exceptional goalscoring into context: 

"

Radamel Falcao 4 goals in 29 games.

Marcus Rashford 4 goals in 122 minutes.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/wu5mT8FLbj

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) February 28, 2016"

It is easy to get carried away over a player who clearly has a very bright future, but it’s also worth remembering that he’s only made two senior appearances, with one coming in the Premier League. As talented as Rashford undoubtedly is, too much too soon surely isn’t good for his development.

Indeed, Barney Ronay of the Guardian isn’t totally convinced that offering the teenager a bumper deal is the right idea yet:

And that makes it encouraging to read he’s keen on proving himself before signing a new contract. It’s clear from the manner in which he’s handled himself out on the field that Rashford has an assured head on young shoulders and to turn down that kind of money, even temporarily, would be testament to his determination to prove himself and focus squarely on football.

United in Battle for Shkodran Mustafi

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Manchester United will reportedly go head-to-head with Bayern Munich in an attempt to sign Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi this summer.

That’s according to Fichajes (h/t Tom Matson of Goal), who suggest the Germany international is looking for a new club this at the end of the season and two of European football’s biggest names are said to be interested. Here’s why the 23-year-old is revered as one of the game's best young defenders:

The former Everton man has certainly improved since making the switch to Valencia. Even though Los Che have struggled for long spells this term and sold Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester City before the campaign began, Mustafi has stood out as one of the side’s best players.

Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Clark Whitney believes that Mustafi would be an ideal signing for Bayern in the summer:

United could do with a player like the German, who is uncompromising in his playing style. That’s not to say Mustafi isn’t an intelligent and technical player, because he is, but the Valencia man is a centre-back who loves defending, which comes across in all aspects of his play. At Old Traffod, where Louis van Gaal has been searching for a regular partner for Chris Smalling, he’d thrive.

What could be potentially problematic for the Red Devils is any interest from Bayern. As a young German player, Mustafi would be hard enough for the Bavarians to turn down as it is, but they’re also currently in a much better position to challenge for the top honours than the Premier League side. If they join the race, it’s likely United will be left trailing.