Manchester United are about to be handed a Marcus Rashford boost

Man Utd must address Marcus Rashford's future after Barcelona opted not to exercise their option to sign him.

Thomas Tuchel laid down the gauntlet to Marcus Rashford last year, challenging him to get into the England squad for the World Cup.

Tuchel said: "It's not a question of talent, it's a question of whether he can prove the point at club and international level. Otherwise, he will be disappointed in 10 years at what could have been and what he made of it.

"I think the limit for him is very, very high. Maybe higher than for others. He has the potential, but potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports. You have to reach your personal best on a regular basis."

Rashford has been consistently inconsistent throughout his career, but he performed well for Barcelona during his season-long loan, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists in a successful campaign for the Catalan club.

The reward was a place in Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup, and Rashford has a chance of starting the Three Lions' opening game of the tournament against Croatia on Wednesday.

Tuchel has a choice between Rashford and the player Barcelona signed over him, Anthony Gordon. The first meeting between Rashford and Gordon at England's camp had the potential to be a tad awkward, but the latter has spoken about receiving advice from Rashford about life at Barca.

Gordon was influential in England's final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica, which means he is the frontrunner to get the nod against Croatia, but who starts on the left wing is certainly not clear-cut.

Manchester United want Rashford to get as much exposure at the World Cup as possible, given they need to offload him following Barcelona's decision not to trigger their £26million option to sign him after his loan.

The World Cup is the biggest stage of all, and it puts players in the shop window. Over the years, there have been dozens of examples of transfers on the back of the tournament, with clubs striking while the iron is hot.

Rashford has arrived in the United States in decent form, and he will do United's chances of obtaining a fee for him no harm by performing well over the next six weeks. The 27-year-old's mind should also be sharpened after missing out on his dream permanent move to Barcelona.

In many ways, tournament football is made for Rashford, who has the talent to deliver over short periods but has struggled to maintain a high level of performance over the span of a few years.

That's what Tuchel was alluding to when he challenged Rashford to get into the squad for the World Cup. The German needed to see Rashford performing each week to put him on the plane for the tournament.

Rashford, to his credit, was pretty consistent for Barcelona, but one good season has usually been followed by a regressive campaign over his career, which is one of the reasons why United are cutting ties this summer.

The market for Rashford is not wide-ranging given he earns £3250,000 per week at United. Few clubs can afford those wages, and he may have to accept a pay cut if he wants to seal a permanent move away in this window.

Bayern Munich are considering Rashford after missing out on Gordon. Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have all made the switch from England to Germany's biggest club, and perhaps Vincent Kompany will green-light a swoop for Rashford, especially if he excels at the World Cup.

The World Cup taking place this summer is a boost for United, who are trying to obtain fees for their players who are surplus to requirements. The tournament can only help to increase players' values.

England reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in 2022, and Rashford left Qatar as the Three Lions' joint highest-scorer. He looked explosive from the bench and will back himself to deliver again.

That can only be good news for United, who must shift Rashford before the end of the summer transfer window.

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