I don’t want to lose him – Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to stay

Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to remain at Manchester United amid speculation linking the forward with Paris St Germain.

Reports in France suggest Rashford’s representatives have spoken to PSG about a switch to the Ligue 1 champions after a frustrating year at Old Trafford.

Rashford missed the start of last season with a shoulder injury before returning to score four goals in 25 Premier League appearances, losing his place in the England squad.

But Ten Hag insisted the 24-year-old, who has one year left on his contract with a club option for a further 12 months, remained integral at Old Trafford.

“He’s really important,” Ten Hag said. “You have seen from the first day I’m here, I’m really happy with him, I don’t want to lose him.

“He’s definitely in our plans at Manchester United.”

The speculation around Rashford comes as United continue to struggle to bring in signings of their own.

The club are no closer with their primary target, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, while a report on Friday said the club’s board are blocking Ten Hag’s pursuit of Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech.

A move for veteran forward Marko Arnautovic was aborted this week amid a fan backlash while the one player who does seem likely to join – France midfielder Adrien Rabiot – was criticised by former midfielder Lou Macari on Friday.

Speaking on in-house channel MUTV, Macari said: “I’d never really heard of him. Clubs spend millions of pounds scouting players across Europe, but nobody else has made a move for this fella. Why do you think this is? I have got a bad feeling about the guy.”

But, despite the mis-steps, Ten Hag insisted he and the club’s hierarchy are on the same page when it comes to transfer targets.

“I’m happy, I think we’re co-operating really