Man Utd: Marcus Rashford will not be sold by any incoming manager this summer, says Paul Merson

‘No manager in their right mind would offload him!’ – Paul Merson leaps to Marcus Rashford’s defence amid criticism of the Manchester United star and insists he will not be sold by any incoming boss this summer despite his underwhelming form

  • Marcus Rashford has been enduring a difficult season for Manchester United
  • The England star is drawing criticism from several pundits and fans alike
  • He is even said to be considering his future at Old Trafford ahead of the summer
  • But Paul Merson believes criticism of Rashford is unfair and premature
  • Merson has leapt to his defence and claimed no incoming boss will want to sell

Paul Merson has leapt to the defence of Marcus Rashford and insisted ‘no manager in their right mind’ would sell the Manchester United star this summer.

Rashford is enduring one of his most difficult seasons as a United player, with a number of below-par performances meaning he has drawn criticism from supporters and pundits alike.

The England international has scored just two goals in his last 20 appearances, and after losing his place in the starting XI reports have emerged suggesting he is now considering his future at Old Trafford.

Paul Merson has leapt to the defence of Marcus Rashford amid criticism over his Man Utd form

However, Merson believes talk of Rashford leaving United is ludicrous, claiming any incoming manager at the club this summer will want to keep him. 

‘It’s been two or three months and there is talk of Rashford being moved on. Seriously?’ he told Sky Sports.

‘No manager in their right mind would come to Old Trafford and offload Rashford.

‘Even if I was going to take over the club as manager tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t be letting Rashford go!  

‘This is why Manchester United are in a shambles, how haven’t they got a manager in place now.

Rashford has drawn criticism this season for a number of below-par performances

Rashford has drawn criticism this season for a number of below-par performances

But Merson insists 'no manager in their right mind' would offload him in the summer

But Merson insists ‘no manager in their right mind’ would offload him in the summer

‘Whoever does come in as manager isn’t going to get rid of Rashford, so the move will have to be done before then, that’s if it is going happen.’

Merson is backing Rashford to rediscover his best form sooner or later, adding: ‘Everything has been great since Rashford came on the scene, you couldn’t write it in a book if you tried. Now he has lost confidence and he’s finding it hard. His confidence is shot.

‘This is first time he has lost it since he walked into the Manchester United team. From the moment he made his debut against in the Europa League, scored those two goals, I don’t think he has been without that confidence.

‘Against City I remember him taking on three players, but the run was just token gesture, you could see he didn’t have the conviction that he was going to go past anyone.

Rashford is said to be considering his future amid a lack of game time under Ralf Rangnick

Rashford is said to be considering his future amid a lack of game time under Ralf Rangnick

‘I feel sorry for Rashford. It’s a horrible feeling when you lose your confidence in football, but even more so when it happens for the first time.

‘He’s not getting a run in the team so when he does come on, he always seems to be chasing the game and he’s trying to do too much.

‘He’s got to get back to playing simple and build his confidence. He’s got to get back to basics and, all of a sudden, his confidence will come back because the kid is a good player, you don’t become a bad player overnight.’