Owen Hargreaves has branded Manchester United’s willingness to entertain loan offers for Marcus Rashford as “madness.” He also emphasized the importance of retaining young stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, urging the club to build its future around them.
Rashford, 27, has expressed his desire to leave United in search of a “new challenge.” His situation has piqued the interest of major European clubs, including Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
However, Rashford’s substantial £325,000-a-week wage poses a significant obstacle, with United reportedly demanding that any loaning club cover at least half of his salary.
Hargreaves believes Rashford’s departure would be a severe setback, especially under the current management of Ruben Amorim.
He feels the forward still has a vital role in the squad as United works on bolstering its midfield and attacking options in the upcoming transfer windows.
Following United’s 3-1 victory over Southampton, Hargreaves raised concerns about Amorim’s tactical setup, questioning whether it enables United to dominate games. “United are supposed to play on the front foot and control possession,” Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions.
“That’s why Erik ten Hag was hired—to bring the Ajax style of dominating the ball. Instead, United are thriving on counter-attacks, much like they did under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
Hargreaves pointed out that Amorim’s system has shone in counter-attacking performances against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City but struggles with ball control due to the reliance on a two-man midfield. This weakness is particularly evident against teams like Southampton, who sit at the bottom of the Premier League.
The former midfielder also highlighted the need for reinforcements across the pitch. “The goalkeeper is set, the defense is decent, but the midfield and striker positions need serious work,” he added.
Hargreaves expressed dismay at the prospect of Garnacho leaving as well. Reports suggest Napoli sees Garnacho as the ideal replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain in a €70 million deal.
When asked about his approach if he were in charge, Hargreaves was firm: “Nobody’s leaving. Rashford, Mainoo, Garnacho—they’re your best players. You don’t let them go. Loaning Rashford and paying half his wages? Madness.”
He urged the club to invest in these players rather than lose them. “Football changes quickly,” he remarked, referencing Harry Maguire’s resurgence. “Rashford, Garnacho, and Mainoo have bright futures at United. The club just needs to sort things out and build around them.”
As speculation intensifies, United faces crucial decisions that could shape their fortunes for years to come.
