Manchester United are struggling to tie Marcus Rashford down to a new contract as the teenager is frustrated over a lack of consistent playing time under Jose Mourinho and has long-term concerns over his role. That is, according to a report from The Times
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Rashford has seen his goal return dry up - he hasn't scored a Premier League since September - while most of his opportunities have come wide on the left or right rather than in his preferred central area.
Realistically, though, he can't have expected to continue being the club's first choice 'number nine' this season. Only an injury crisis presented him with his debut last February, while it was never in doubt that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be the regular choice when the Swede arrived.
His rise last season was born out of a difficult situation for United and he achieved far, far more than he ever would have by this stage under normal circumstances. The fact he is still considered an important member of the squad, albeit not a regular starter, is still significant.
Ibrahimovic won't be around forever, Wayne Rooney will soon be gone, too, so it will be up to Rashford to be ready when the real opportunities arise a year or two further down the line.
The newspaper claims that while Rashford has no desire to leave Old Trafford, the home-grown prodigy feels as though he has 'gone backwards' since last season's explosive start to his senior career under former manager Louis van Gaal.
His apparent worry is whether Jose Mourinho will ever afford him the same chances, although United do still appear desperate to keep him after rejecting audacious loan approaches from West Ham and Sevilla last month.
Rashford has seen his goal return dry up - he hasn't scored a Premier League since September - while most of his opportunities have come wide on the left or right rather than in his preferred central area.
Realistically, though, he can't have expected to continue being the club's first choice 'number nine' this season. Only an injury crisis presented him with his debut last February, while it was never in doubt that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be the regular choice when the Swede arrived.
It is admirable that Rashford should be so keen to play as much as he can - The Times reports that he is aware of the greater chances to young players at Tottenham and Liverpool - he also reportedly wants to prove he deserves his opportunity before committing his future to the club with a new £50k-per-week deal. But patience is a quality that he must also learn.
His rise last season was born out of a difficult situation for United and he achieved far, far more than he ever would have by this stage under normal circumstances. The fact he is still considered an important member of the squad, albeit not a regular starter, is still significant.
Ibrahimovic won't be around forever, Wayne Rooney will soon be gone, too, so it will be up to Rashford to be ready when the real opportunities arise a year or two further down the line.
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