Thomas Tuchel could hand Manchester United a £40 million summer transfer boost when England face Ghana in their second Group L World Cup match in Boston, Massachusetts, tonight. The England head coach, once linked with the Manchester United job, has a key decision to make regarding Marcus Rashford's place in the starting lineup.
Rashford's Frustration and Barcelona's Pivot
In England's opening group game against Croatia in Dallas, Texas, Tuchel opted to start Anthony Gordon ahead of Rashford on the left flank. For the Manchester United winger, that decision added to the frustration he has experienced this summer. It appeared certain that Barcelona would activate his £26 million option to buy clause at the end of the season after Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists during his loan spell in Catalonia.
However, Barcelona instead pivoted towards Gordon, spending £69 million to sign him from Newcastle United. That transfer signaled Barcelona's intentions, and last week, when the deadline for Rashford's clause passed, the La Liga giants opted not to activate it, leaving both United and Rashford back at square one.
Rashford's Impactful Cameo Against Croatia
Rashford channeled his frustration into a productive cameo against Croatia. He replaced Gordon in the 72nd minute, and by the 85th minute, he had confidently cut inside the defender and slotted a calm finish underneath Dominik Livakovic to secure a 1-0 victory for England. The goal highlighted his ability to make a difference off the bench.
Rashford will hope Tuchel starts him against Ghana, but it is not just the 28-year-old who has his fingers crossed—Manchester United officials will be watching closely as well. The club has now passed the point of no return regarding Rashford's future. While United will welcome him back to Carrington after his post-World Cup break, there is a strong motivation to sell him permanently.
United's Decision to Sell Rashford
According to sources, the decision to move on from Rashford was not solely Ruben Amorim's individual call. Ineos's decision-makers were fully in agreement with Amorim's course of action, and that stance has not changed. United will aim to sell Rashford in the first instance, and a £40 million offer should be enough to get the deal done.
Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to be linked with Rashford. It has previously been reported that United's academy graduate would not favour a move to London, but circumstances could have changed. Spurs may not have European football next season, but they are being linked with a host of players, including Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, signalling their ambitions for the upcoming campaign.
Potential Suitors and Tuchel's Role
Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham side could benefit from a lack of European football, allowing them a free shot at the top four, despite only surviving relegation on the final day of the Premier League season. However, Tottenham will not be the only club monitoring Rashford tonight if he plays. Bayern Munich have also been linked with the forward in the past.
Given Vincent Kompany's willingness to sign Premier League players and having missed out on Gordon themselves, Rashford would be a realistic option for Bayern. A move to the Bundesliga could be seen as favourable from Rashford's side if he wants a clean break from the Premier League.
For both United and Rashford, the odds of a deal increase if he starts against Ghana. Tonight, Tuchel can put Rashford in the shop window and give interested clubs another reason to step up their intentions. Another good performance could make life easier for United as the transfer window prepares to heat up.
