Marcus Rashford: Why Man Utd shouldn't go shopping for a No.9

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 4 Jan 2023 15:44 GMT
• 4 min read

Marcus Rashford may prefer playing on the wing, but with four goals from his last four games he could save Manchester United a fortune in the winter transfer window if he sees out the season as a No.9.

United are in the market for a new striker. Cristiano Ronaldo has left, Rashford, their now seven-goal top scorer, prefers playing on the wing, and Anthony Martial's fitness simply cannot be trusted.

The Red Devils have been tepid in the transfer market this January, with the club's future uncertain following the Glazer family's announcement in November that they would welcome bids from prospective new owners.

READ: Revealed: Man Utd can't even afford a loan fee in January

The record English champions have enough money lying around, but don't want to spend much on a player who might not fit into the coming regime's plans.

It is reportedly why they missed out on long-time Erik ten Hag favourite Cody Gakpo, Liverpool stealing in with an up-front €57 million bid for the attacker after United had tried to loan him from PSV Eindhoven first before making the deal permanent next summer.

But Rashford's goalscoring ability keeps coming into sharper focus. Admittedly, he has found the target whether lining up front, or on the right or the left wing, but the fourth of his four goals in as many games came against Bournemouth on Tuesday after he had moved up front.

READ: Rashford set to become 'one of the best-paid players on the planet'

A prolific striker

The finish was one of a penalty box poacher, Rashford tapping home from close range after Bruno Fernandes had played the ball across goal for him.

Rashford has previously been accused of being a jack of many trades, master of few, but he also struck three times for England at the World Cup and has now scored a goal every 63 minutes he has played for club and country since December.

United also have a plethora of wingers. Antony was signed for €100m last summer, Alejandro Garnacho's talent is nascent, as is Anthony Elanga's, Jadon Sancho is hopefully not beyond rejuvenation and even if he is, Amad Diallo has hit six goals in his last 11 starts on loan with Sunderland.

Garnacho and Antony either side of Rashford would surely keep propelling United up the league table, and Rashford taking one for the team for a few months could save United a fortune in the medium-term.