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Published January 17, 2025 1:14pm Updated January 17, 2025 1:14pm
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has urged Marcus Rashford to join one of his former clubs in order to kickstart his career.
The England international has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim and hasn’t featured since December 12.
Erik ten Hag’s successor has been forced to deal with numerous questions surrounding the 27-year-old’s future since his decision to leave him out of the squad for December’s Manchester derby.
A number of Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in Rashford United are unwilling to let him move to a rival.
Rashford’s ideal destination is understood to be Spain and he remains hopeful of a move to a European club in order to help boost his chances of returning to the England fold.
Amorim was again pushed for an answer on how Rashford’s situation was likely to be resolved ahead of last night’s 3-1 win over Southampton.
‘I just want to win tomorrow,’ said Amorim at his pre-match press conference.
‘My focus is to win tomorrow, I will choose the players that I think are best to win the game tomorrow. I am just focused on that.’
Though his wages would be likely to represent a huge stumbling block, Stam is confident Rashford would thrive a Ajax in an less pressurised environment.
The former United treble winner told Boyle Sports: ‘Playing for Ajax would be great for Marcus Rashford, they play with possession and they are known for raising players up and giving them confidence.
‘The quality of the Dutch league is lower than the Premier League so it would be easier for him to adapt.
‘However, I think he is too big a name to be playing for Ajax, he needs to play for a side that gives him confidence but also with players that can help him,
‘I do hope that he stays at Manchester United, he can still have so much value and has a very high potential to win more trophies with the club.’
One of those players who has charged with the responsibility of filling in for Rashford, summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, has begun to show signs of promise in recent week.
Zirkzee’s career reached a nadir in the recent defeat against Newcastle when he was hauled off in the first half.
The Netherlands international was said to be contemplating his future at that point but appears to have turned a corner in recent weeks.
‘People expect too much from Joshua Zirkzee. It’s the same with Rasmus Hojlund,’ Stam added. ‘He is a young player that has been brought into the club and needs time to adjust to the team, the league and the system.
‘A new manager has come in with a new system but it seems people expect him to score in every game. There has been talk of him leaving and that he isn’t good enough, but no one in this team is really consistent, except Harry Maguire at the moment.
‘I don’t think we need to be critical of every young player that comes into the club, the manager needs time to get the best out of his players. You can’t keep signing players and spending more money.
‘Zirkzee is the type of player that needs to link up with midfielders and wingers, he has the ability to play at a very high level for Manchester United, but he needs to get into a rhythm. Then he can be very important for the club.’
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