The talent for homemade living is never easy, especially at a club like Manchester United.
The early goodwill shown by the younger outlook from supporters can often be replaced by negativity. Modern games are particularly obsessed with seeing new talent even further afield, rather than being promoted from within.
The current example could be Kobbie Mainoo, and the 19-year-old enjoyed an amazing 2023/24 campaign, which led to a call to the English Euro 2024 team. But fast forward a year ago, the injured teenager has become something of a forgotten man.
Thankfully, there have been reportedly positive talks about the new contract for the Midfield Maestro.
Unlike Mainoo, however, not all members of Ruben Amorim’s team will appear in their next term, and Red Devils and Ineos will likely face their own Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario this summer.
Man Utd’s famous homemade exit
Perhaps the worst secret of football in recent months has been Alexander Arnold’s desire to set out for Real Madrid, as his 26-year-old future centered on a fierce debate in Liverpool amid his expiration contract.
As widely reported on Tuesday, it appears that much-anticipated switch is finally nearing completion. The British, a product of the club’s academy, is set to end Anfield’s affiliation this summer to move to Spain.
The unified persuasive people will certainly remember losing one of them to Madrid in the not too distant past.
In the following years, Beckham joined former youth team colleagues Phil Neville and Nicky Buttt, respectively, to Everton and Newcastle United, respectively, to join in amid increasing game time.
As these cases were emblematic, not all graduates can reach the status of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville as one clubmen.
Certainly, last summer, the new INEOS administration won cash for Scott McTominai, and the midfielder joined Napoli in a £25 million deal. Prior to that, Anthony Elanga had moved to Nottingham Forest for £15 million in 2023, while James Garner moved to Goodison for £9 million in 2022.
It must be said that these transactions appeared to have been club-led amid the current PSR demands. Perhaps few were so famous about Alexander Arnold’s impending switch.
Man Utd’s own Alexander-Arnold situation
To the frustration of the people of Merseyside, the playmaking fullback appears to be intended to cut ties with his boyhood club, particularly to make the decision to set off on a free transfer set, to challenge.
As far as United is concerned, the sale of Marcus Rashford this summer turns out to be far less controversial, given his asylum from the Amorim ranks, but the same goes for the end of his long stay in Manchester.
The 27-year-old, currently financed at Aston Villa, could be lined up for a permanent switch to his temporary home, with the Midlands side holding a £40 million option to buy at the end of the season.
How Rashford compares to PL Forward | ||
---|---|---|
statistics | Records (per 90) | Ranking |
Non-penalty goals | 0.31 | Top 23% |
assist | 0.23 | Top 33% |
Shot creation action | 3.51 | Top 44% |
Pass completed | 72.7% | Bottom 38% |
Progressive Carry | 2.36 | Bottom 25% |
Progressive Pass | 2.52 | Bottom 28% |
A successful take-on | 1.30 | Bottom 45% |
Tackle | 0.99 | Bottom 23% |
A duel won | 0.46 | Bottom 44% |
Statistics via FBREF |
But like Alexander Arnold, Rashford appears to have his eyes farther away, with reports in January that it intends to seal off the dream move for Barcelona, which outlined his desire for a “new challenge.”
There is a very realistic prospect that the United Man, who costs £300,000 a week, could then line up with his English colleagues in the next term.
Again, unlike Alexander Arnold, the attitude and timing of Rashford’s exit is uncontroversial, but like his compatriots, he has certainly been United’s main topic in recent years.
There have been long been question marks about Rashford’s role as a striker and left, just like debates over the potential future that could be in the midfield, rather than in the right-back.
Either way, the exit is practically almost inevitable, especially as they were removed from the Manchester Derby in December.
This appeared to be the latest indication of his anguish, also punished by former boss Eric Ten Hagg last season, following a trip to Belfast ahead of the FA Cup clash with Newport County. As journalist Liam Canning said, he became a “big big problem.”
After scoring 30 goals in 2022/23, he has only 15 goals in the last 18 months or so, and the decision has been made to move him to Villa Park as the beginning of the sad end of the Red Devils Association.
If movement is likely to occur this summer, Rashford will be able to look back at five major trophies and 138 goals for the club in all competitions. Meanwhile, “Trent” has gathered a range of his own silverware, well beyond over 80 assists.
For a variety of reasons, these two local heroes will be relocating this summer. Both players probably feel they need a fresh start. For both men, this is not what it seems to be over.
As they say, “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain”…
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