Shocking reports in Spain are claiming that Real Madrid are now eyeing a move for Manchester United’s teen sensation Marcus Rashford as Zinedine Zidane starts life after Alvaro Morata at Santiago Bernabeu. Real are in desperate need for a backup striker and the English international is reportedly in their four-man shortlist.
The other three, according to Spanish news outlet Diario Gol, are AFC Ajax’s Kasper Dolberg, Red Bull Leipzig’s Timo Werner and Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre Aubameyang. And Real are expected to face difficulties in landing most of them. After previous reports claimed that Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid was almost a done deal, Zidane’s decision to retain Karim Benzema has their number one choice has pretty much made it clear that Mbappe’s deal is off.
The La Liga giants are heading towards a transition stage and although not immediately, but Zidane will have to bring in young blood eventually. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are likely to step down in the next two years and Zidane has to make sure he gets the perfect options who will then take the mantle.
Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, Real’s two wide men, haven’t been the fittest of the lot and Real are looking at options who could step up as and when needed. And 19-year-old Rashford seems an ideal fit for that role. The Manchester-born player was the greatest gift Louis Van Gaal gave to the fans and since his break into the first team back in 2015, the youngster has not disappointed.
He is fast, he is clever, and he possesses exquisite finishing abilities. Although he hasn’t got to play in his preferred position or regular game time owing to the presence of Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in United’s centre forward role, Rashford has shown his quality in whatever little chances he has got.
He has scored 10 goals and registered three assists over two seasons for United in 44 appearances. He even managed four goals and four assists in the Europa League in United’s last two campaigns, showing his ability to perform at any level whatsoever.
He remains immensely versatile in the attacking third and given his nascent age, both Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho has experimented with him a lot. Apart from his preferred centre-forward role, Rashford has played on the left wing, right wing as well as a number 10. Real might have all the lure in the world for such talents, but their star-studded lineup leaves little chances for them. And Morata’s forced departure despite prolific displays has been a warning for most of the wonder kids.
