Marcus Rashford to Arsenal transfer verdict - Man Utd dilemma, £315k problem, Nico Williams move

Should Arsenal take the plunge and make a January transfer window move to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United?

In an interview with Henry Winter, Rashford openly admitted he was ready to make the move away from Old Trafford and find a new club. The England man went on to say: "When I leave it's going to be no hard feelings. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me. I will always be a Red."

Rashford was left out of the matchday squad for the huge Manchester Derby against City on Sunday, a game United won with two late goals - one from Bruno Fernandes from the penalty spot and one from Amad Diallo.

Rashford has been at Old Trafford for 20 years, but now looks set to move on. And Arsenal are one of the potential destinations for the 27-year-old.

The Gunners have been in the market for a new forward for some time, only bringing in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea on deadline day in the summer. That move has not worked out as planned.

Arsenal have been linked with Rashford in the past and will be so again with the January transfer window opening in less than two weeks' time.

he notched 30 goals and nine assists in 53 appearances for United.

Something has gone very wrong at Old Trafford, but there's a player in there waiting for someone new to bring him out. In those 53 appearances, Rashford averaged a goal involvement every 110 minutes.

This season he has managed seven goals and three assists in 23 appearances, but interestingly those appearances have totalled just 1418 minutes of action. that means he averages a goal involvement every 142 minutes. It's not massively worse than when he appeared to be at the peak of his powers.

His falling out with Erik ten Hag was clear and things have not improved under Ruben Amorim. He needs a change of scenery and a manager who will get the best out of him. Mikel Arteta could be just that manager.

Arsenal need a new frontman, someone to find the back of the net with regularity. Rashford can do that, under the right tutelage, and could help spearhead a title charge. Those £315,000-a-week wages may prove a stumbling block, however, as could a price hike for United to sell to a Premier League rival, but they've done it before.

Joe Doyle

There's no doubt that Marcus Rashford is a talented player. But I'm not sure it really makes sense for Arsenal to make a move.

When it comes to signing players there are a few key considerations to make. Where is he going to play? I think he's proven he's not a No.9, so it'd be off the left side of attack.

Does he improve the squad depth there? Certainly. Does he improve the first XI? I think on his day he's a more dangerous and more clinical player than Gabriel Martinelli. But it doesn't happen regularly enough to essentially be a big upgrade on what they currently have, and he's not going to move somewhere to be second choice.

Then it comes to finances. There are rumours he could be available for as little as £40million, which would be something of a bargain. But the wages would undoubtedly be a stumbling block, even if he were to take a reduction on what he's on at Old Trafford.

Could Mikel Arteta get better out of him than any of his previous managers did at Manchester United? Possibly. But it would be a big gamble considering the finances and the areas of the Gunners' squad which actually need investment.

If you're signing a player on big wages, he needs to be making a big impact on the team. And I'm not sure Arsenal moving for Rashford would be a step in the right direction in that regard.

Kieran Horn

There are multiple arguments for and against Rashford joining Arsenal, but I think the negatives certainly outweigh the positives.

While Arteta has proven he is capable of helping talented footballers get back on track, with Kai Havertz faring much better at Emirates Stadium in comparison to his spell at Chelsea, if the Gunners are to spend a significant amount on wages and a transfer fee, it has to be for a player that will immediately improve the starting XI.

That left wing spot does need strengthening and while Rashford could be the man to do exactly that, there are too many question marks over his attitude, consistency and longevity. Many people forget he is now 27 and therefore trying to bring in a versatile attacker that is much younger, such as Nico Williams, Jamal Musiala or Florian Wirtz will be far more beneficial for Arsenal.

Tom Canton

Quite simply, Arsenal do not have room in their squad for another project player. They have already spent plenty of resources on reviving Kai Havertz, while Raheem Sterling is barely seeing any minutes.

Add to that the considerable potential transfer fee and the over-inflated wages that it would take to sign the England international, plus his well-documented off-field occurrences and the risk is incredibly high. Therefore, I am struggling to justify this move.

Particularly when players on an upward trajectory like Bryan Mbeumo or Jamie Bynoe-Gittens could be on the market. A move for a 27-year-old Marcus Rashford, even one who just two years ago scored 30 goals, is simply one step too far.

Had Arsenal won the league last year and were on course for another… maybe. Now, they need players who will be much greater guarantees for the club.

https:// football. London /Marcus - Rashford- to Arsenal - transfer- verdict - Man - Utd - dilemma, £315k - problem, - Nico - Williams/