Marcus Rashford, Manchester United Agree on New Contract: Details and Comments

Manchester United’s star centre-forward Marcus Rashford has agreed a new four-year deal with the club, it was confirmed on Monday.

The Red Devils revealed the extension in a statement on their official website, in which it’s noted the 18-year-old has penned a contract until 2020, with the option for an extra year included. 

“I am delighted to have signed a new contract,” said the youngster. “I have always been a Manchester United fan, so to be playing in the first team really is a dream come true. I am grateful for having the chance to prove myself. To be able to play football at the biggest club in the world means everything to me and my family.”

The club posted the following snap of Rashford signing his new deal on their Twitter feed:

Rashford burst onto the scene late last season for United with eight goals in 17 appearances having previously honed his skills in the club’s revered academy setup.

As noted by Squawka Football, his finishing in the Premier League has been particularly impressive:

The performances from the teenager earned him a call-up to the senior England squad, and he netted less than three minutes into his debut for Roy Hodgson’s side against Australia on Friday.

Despite his inexperience at the highest level, there are now calls for the Three Lions to take Rashford to the UEFA European Championship this summer.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He’s a player who promises a bright future for both club and country. While Rashford has impressed with his eye for goal since making his senior debut, his game as a whole is so rounded for one so young. Indeed, his touch, dribbling ability and turn of pace has left many elite defenders bemused in the Premier League.

It’s certainly been an incredible rise for the young man, something summed up by BreatheSport here:

"

Rashford's 2016:

End Arsenal's PL hopes
Relegate Villa
Retire Demichelis
Win the FA Cup
Score on England debut pic.twitter.com/s2iE9CRLW0

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) May 28, 2016"

It’ll be fascinating to see how Rashford fares next season under the guidance of new Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho, a man who has a longstanding reputation for not fully trusting youngsters. But so obvious is the striker’s talent that the Portuguese will surely be itching to help him realise what is sky-high potential.

The new deal will add to the pressure on Rashford, but he’s shown in the nascent stages of his career that he has the mental strength to take big challenges in his stride.

For the club’s youth setup, his ascent is a triumph and a pointer to so many others in the system of what can be achieved at Old Trafford.