Fabrizio Romano has confirmed which deal is the ‘top priority’ at Man Utd and David Ornstein offered an update their fans will love, while three further agreements are reportedly taking shape,
The Red Devils maintained their outsider’s push for the league title on Sunday when sinking Leicester 3-0. The Foxes could’ve and perhaps should’ve taken the lead in the first half, though their profligacy in front of goal was not matched by Marcus Rashford.
The United frontman was again deployed up front with Wout Weghorst operating as a No 10. The tactical tweak worked wonders with the red-hot Rashford scoring his 15th and 16th goals since the World Cup.
The 25-year-old took his season tally to 24 across all competitions. That figure already represents his greatest single-season goals return ever and United could still have around 25 games to play pending their progress in the cups.
Rashford was among a cluster of players who saw one-year options in their deals activated over Christmas. He’s under contract to the summer of 2024, though United strongly hope he’ll extend his stay far beyond.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Monday a Rashford extension is the ‘top priority’ at Old Trafford right now.
Erik ten Hag and co. reportedly ‘insist’ progress be made and David Ornstein has provided a positive update on that front.
Writing for the Athletic, Ornstein reported initial talks have already taken place and ‘more are planned’.
One slight concern centred around the current uncertainty regarding a potential takeover of the club. The Glazers have put up the for sale sign and bids from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been received.
Clubs facing uncertain futures off the field often shelve new contract talks, something Chelsea notably did during the time Roman Abramovich was selling up in mid-2022.
However, Ornstein added United’s potential takeover will not effect Rashford’s contract negotiations. On the contrary, the club have already budgeted for several new extensions and Rashford is the one they crave most.
Three more Man Utd deals ‘progressing’
Aside from Rashford, Romano added talks ‘will continue’ over a new deal for right-back Diogo Dalot very shortly.
Ornstein namechecked Dalot too, but also claimed David de Gea and Luke Shaw are in line for extensions as well.
The trusted journalist added talks with the trio are ‘progressing’.
Dalot and Shaw saw the one-year options in their deals triggered at the same time as Rashford. As such, they’re under contract until the summer of 2024 too.
However, United opted against triggering De Gea’s option in favour of attempting to forge a brand new deal from scratch.
If Ornstein is correct, United’s decision looks like it’ll be vindicated.
Brendan Rodgers slams ‘incredible’ VAR call to ignore Marcel Sabitzer horror ‘red card’
The Leicester City manager was left fuming with one particular decision from referee Stuart Atwell during his side’s defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford
Brendan Rodgers has slammed the “incredible” decision by VAR to let a horrific Marcel Sabitzer challenge go unpunished.
Manchester United cruised to victory against Rodgers’ Leicester side on Sunday thanks to two goals by the in-form Marcus Rashford and a third by Jadon Sancho. But there was a hugely controversial moment when United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer landed a knee-high challenge on Wout Faes.
Brendan Rodgers was left fuming at VAR (Image: BBC)
The Austrian followed through on the Leicester defender towards the end of the first half. A foul was awarded without a booking, while VAR opted to stick with the referee’s decision after a brief look at the incident.
Yet the decision left pundits and fans on social media alarmed. And Rodgers himself could not hide his frustration towards what could have been a huge turning point in the match at 1-0 down.
The Northern Irishman said at his post-match press conference: “It is a sending off. It’s a straight leg onto the knee. How it was not looked that and deemed that is incredible, when I see it.”
Marcel Sabitzer caught his opponent late below the knee (Image: INTERENET PICTURE)
Rodgers then compared the challenge to another incident during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City, where Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Ederson for a penalty but the goalkeeper was not shown a second yellow card.
“I don’t know [why a red card wasn’t shown],” the Leicester boss continued. “We’ve seen in the last few weeks, some of the decisions. Someone has said it was maybe after an incident but I don’t buy that one.
The midfielder somehow escaped a booking (Image: INTERENET PICTURE)
“If you look at Arsenal’s penalty at Manchester City, Eddie Nketiah is in on goal and has a shot at goal, but the follow-through makes it a foul, which makes it a penalty. In this instance, even if the play has stopped, he’s followed through and straight-legged him right on his knee.”
It comes at a period of intense scrutiny for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – which aims to maintain and improve refereeing standards in English football. A calamitous piece of officiating by Lee Mason against Arsenal saw the referee resign last week after coming under fire.
Source: dailystar.co.uk; teamtalk.com
