Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to make a transfer U-turn and keep Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford after he helped England beat Croatia at the World Cup.
The Three Lions made a promising start to their World Cup campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 in Dallas to take control of Group L.
Harry Kane scored a first-half brace, converting a penalty at the second attempt and heading home Declan Rice’s corner to become England’s joint-top goalscorer in World Cup history.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were only level at half time despite Kane’s brace but asserted their dominance after the break, sealing a largely impressive victory through Jude Bellingham’s superb goal and Rashford’s late strike.
Don’t miss a World Cup moment
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick. Cape Verde’s heroics. Those Scottish fans.
It’s been a memorable World Cup so far – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up.
Rashford only came on for the final 20 minutes but was able to make a significant impact, scoring his 19th England goal after combining with fellow substitutes Bukayo Saka and Djed Spence.
As well as hoping to help England win the World Cup, Rashford will have one eye on the transfer window amid huge uncertainty over his club future.
The 28-year-old was hoping to stay at Barcelona after spending last season on loan at the Nou Camp and helping Hansi Flick’s side retain the La Liga title.
But Barca decided to send Rashford back to boyhood club Manchester United after signing his England teammate Anthony Gordon in a £70m deal from Newcastle United.
Both United and Rashford are now expected to seek another summer move, with the England star available for £40m to Premier League clubs except local rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
Old Trafford legend Ferdinand believes that could be a mistake, however, and says Manchester United should ‘re-evaluate’ their stance over Rashford’s future.
‘Do you know what, Manchester United might have to start re-evaluating Marcus Rashford’s situation,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel after England’s positive World Cup opener.
‘I’m happy to change, I’m happy to change. I’m not wrong and strong, that’s not my game. I’m happy to change.
‘It seems like Marcus Rashford has matured, the time away from the club may have done him the good he needed and maybe it’s cleansed both parties.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘Is it time? Is it time to shake hands and for him to say, “I’m back”. I think you can see a maturity with Marcus Rashford now.
‘That spell at Barcelona has worked out in a way that he now understands his role. He was an impact player at times for Barcelona and that could be his role with England as well.
‘If he’s coming off the bench and making that impact then that’s a huge asset to the squad because we’re going to need those players.
‘If I’m the opposing full-back and I see Marcus Rashford warming up, you are looking over to the bench and hoping to get subbed off because you don’t want that smoke. He’s not coming on to see the game out, he’s coming on to hurt you.’
England, aiming to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, face Ghana in their second group game on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup under Sir Gareth Southgate, having lost in the semi-finals back in 2018.
Southgate’s England came agonisingly close to winning a major trophy, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.