The 'real reason' why Man Utd are open to selling Marcus Rashford after bombshell update on forward's future

New details have emerged on Marcus Rashford and a potential transfer away from boyhood club Manchester United.

Rashford, 27, has spent the entirety of his professional career with United after first breaking into the senior team back in 2016.

He's gone on to score 138 goals in 425 games for United, becoming a key member of the squad and one of the highest earners at Old Trafford.

But the forward has struggled for consistency in recent seasons and has failed to kick on after signing a new five-year deal worth a reported £325,000 per week in 2023.

Rashford's inconsistent start to the season, which contributed to the sacking of Erik ten Hag and subsequent appointment of new head coach Ruben Amorim, has led to speculation on his future.

Several outlets are now claiming that United are willing to part ways with the England international.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that United have already held talks over selling Rashford and could be ready to do a deal in the January transfer window.

Plettenberg claims the sale of Rashford would 'free up critical points in the complicated Financial Fair Play system' and allow United 'room to maneuver in the transfer market'.

The Telegraph has since shed more light on United's stance.

It is claimed that United are concerned about Rashford's 'lifestyle off the pitch' and there are fears he is 'no longer as focused on his football as he could be'.

Unnamed sources have told the Telegraph that Rashford is 'dealing with a number of off-field distractions' that are impacting his performances.

So far this season, he has managed seven goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

SPORTbible has contacted Manchester United and Rashford representatives for comment.

Rashford was fined two weeks' wages in January after he was pictured drinking in Belfast and was later dropped for the team's FA Cup win over Newport County after reporting ill on the Friday before the game.

Earlier this year, Rashford hit back at his critics and claimed he is judged more harshly than other footballers - suggesting there is 'a tone' to reporting of his behaviour, particularly on issues away from the football pitch.

Rashford has struggled for consistency this season (Image: Getty)

In a first-person piece for the Players' Tribune website entitled 'Who I really am', Rashford wrote: "It can't just be about me as a 26-year-old lad on a night out, or a lad getting a parking ticket.

"It's got to be about how much my car costs, guessing my weekly salary, my jewellery or even my tattoos. It's got to be about my body language and questioning my morals and speculating about my family and my football future. There's a tone in it that you don't get with all footballers.

"Let's just leave it at that."

Echoing Plettenberg's report, the Telegraph claim the sale of Rashford is seen as 'attractive' to United given their profit and sustainability (PSR) concerns, with any money gained from the sale of the academy player viewed in accounts as pure profit.

While United are said to be open to selling Rashford in January, it is claimed that the chances of finding a buyer mid-season are 'remote' - with a 'greater chance of him being offloaded' in the summer.

A move to the Saudi Pro League has been touted as one potential option while long-term admirers Paris Saint-Germain are another.

Rashford's representatives reportedly met with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi in 2022, and the French club made another approach for the forward in 2023 before he committed himself to United with a new contract to 2028.

PSG were also interested in signing Rashford as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe prior to his move to Real Madrid, although an official bid failed to materialise.

teamTALK claim PSG retain an interest in Rashford but it remains to be seen whether they will make an attempt to sign him in January.