Manchester United step up talks with key player

Manchester United will be hoping to move a step closer to Champions League qualification when they face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

The Red Devils currently sit third in the Premier League table, three points ahead of The Magpies, who occupy fifth place.

Since taking charge of the club at the start of the season, Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a successful spell so far, most notably guiding United to the Carabao Cup last month.

United also remain in contention to win both the FA Cup and the Europa League, and their form has been helped hugely by the form of forward Marcus Rashford.

The England international has been in remarkable form since the World Cup, and it appears that his current employers are now working hard to ensure he remains a United player.

According to ESPNUnited are set to step up contract talks with the forward before the end of the current season.

Rashford’s current deal is set to expire next summer and United are aware that his performances will undoubtedly have attracted interest from elsewhere.

With that in mind, the Manchester club will hope to tie him down to a new long-term deal in the coming weeks.

So far this term, the Englishman has scored scored 27 goals and provided nine assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.

His form has been particularly impressive since the turn of the year, with the forward netting 16 times in 17 matches.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are said to have shown an interest in Rashford, although the player himself is believed to be happy in Manchester at present.

Since making his debut for United back in 2016, Rashford has scored 120 goals and provided 66 assists in 347 games for the club.

A product of The Red Devils’ youth system, the forward has also established himself as a regular for Gareth Southgate’s England side in recent years.