Paris Saint-Germain are in the market for a forward this summer and have identified Marcus Rashford as someone they would like to bring to the Parc des Princes for the 2022-23 campaign.
Christophe Galtier thinks Rashford would be well suited to their style of play and has earmarked the England international as a worthwhile replacement for Lionel Messi when he eventually hangs up his boots.
However, PSG face an uphill battle in securing his services as United are committed to keeping hold of the 24-year-old. Sportsmail recently revealed their plans to hand Rashford a new long-term contract at the club.
Rashford is also reluctant to leave United ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as he needs regular minutes in order to work his way into Gareth Southgate’s team for the tournament.
But, that doesn’t meant the England forward won’t join the Ligue 1 side in the future. So… with a potential transfer on the horizon, Sportsmail have looked at how Rashford could slot in at the French champions.
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Man United’s Marcus Rashford this summer
It remains unlikely that Rashford will leave United to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer as he is gearing towards England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar and needs regular minutes under his belt.
Rashford has been at risk of being dropped from the England squad after struggling for form at Manchester United under their previous manager Ralf Rangnick. The 24-year-old also underwent shoulder surgery which ruled him out of action for a prolonged period of time.
Rashford (right) is also reluctant to leave United ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after Gareth Southgate (left) said he and Jadon Sancho (centre) must prove themselves at club level
Therefore, Rashford needs to get some Premier League minutes under his belt this season
Southgate even said that Rashford and his fellow Manchester United team-mate Jadon Sancho had a lot of work to do before securing their seat on the plane to the Middle East.
The Three Lions boss said ahead of their Nations League clash with Hungary: ‘We’ve only got one [Man United player] with us. They’ve [Rashford and Sancho] got a lot to do to get back in the squad.’
However, Rashford has rediscovered his form under new manager Erik ten Hag. He was firing for the Red Devils during their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and is likely to take on more responsibility this season considering United’s lack of forwards.
Rashford has rediscovered his form and played well during United’s pre-season tour
The 24-year-old England national has also got the Manchester United faithful back on his side
But, if Rashford did defy all odds and complete a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, it is likely he would enjoy his time at the Ligue 1 club.
Rashford is said to have a close relationship with Mbappe and has been seen liking the 23-year-old’s Instagram posts on a regular basis. However, the bromance is not one sided. Mbappe has been sharing the love on Rashford’s page too.
Mbappe also heaped praise on Rashford in 2020 – claiming he had the ultimate respect for the Manchester United forward after he scored a penalty during their Champions League clash.
Speaking after the game, the Frenchman said: ‘When you take a penalty in that situation, how much practice you have put on the training ground doesn’t matter.
Erik ten Hag will give Rashford more responsibility this season as he is struggling for forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his desire to leave Manchester United this season
‘It is about confidence and he is a player who plays with so much confidence. He is one of the most dangerous forward players in England. Paul (Pogba) has spoken about how special he is – and he does not talk about players in such a way often.
‘To tackle an issue as important as child poverty is one of the most important things that somebody can do – so I have full respect that he has been doing that and trying to make a real change.
‘I do think there is a requirement for players to use their position to make a difference in the world. We have been given so much and it is important that we give back.
However, Rashford may decided to join Christophe Galtier’s PSG side in the future
The England international is said to be good friends with Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe
In terms of the football side of the transfer, it would be a squeeze to fit Rashford into the PSG fold considering Mauricio Pochettino struggled to fit Messi, Mbappe and Neymar all into the front line that operated effectively.
However, it could be done under Galtier. But to understand how, it’s important to take a look back at the French manager’s formation history.
During his time at Saint-Etienne, Galtier used a 4-3-3 when he wanted to play with a single pivot. His team also had the ability to change to 4-2-3-1 when they wanted more defensive security.
Galtier then joined Lille and used a double pivot. After two full seasons with the club he changed their formation to 4-4-2 and won the title during the 2020-21 campaign.
It would be a squeeze to fit Rashford into PSG’s starting XI with the likes of Messi
Galtier also spent a season with Nice before joining Paris Saint-German. He guided the French side to a fifth place finish in the league and won a runners-up medal in the Coupe de France while playing a 4-4-2 formation.
Therefore, Galtier is more than capable of chopping and changing his formations. As it stands, he is favouring a 3-5-2 formation at PSG. Allowing Messi and Mbappe to attack with freedom with Neymar occupying the No.10 role.
However, Rashford’s arrival could see him adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation. This would see Messi take control on the right-hand-side of the pitch, Rashford out on the left and Neymar in the No.10 position supporting them both.
Neymar could be at risk of being dropped if Rashford was to arrive and outperform him
Rashford’s favoured position is out on the right but it seems unlikely that he would be chosen over Messi for the position. So… the England international better get working on that left foot if he really is considering a transfer.
Alternatively, Galtier could go for a 3-4-3 formation. However, that would mean he would have to drop a forward. Not an easy thing to do!
Let’s say that Rashford was a shoo-in, that would put Mbappe, Messi and Neymar at risk. Then out of those three it would realistically be Neymar that would face the drop.
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