One issue that needs to be addressed at Manchester United is the wage structure in the first team, but Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to consider breaking that wage structure to ensure Marcus Rashford commits his long-term future to Old Trafford.
You can almost understand why Rio Ferdinand would think this, at a time Rashford is the most in-form forward in Europe, but he almost needs to carry continue this level of performance until the end of the season. Then I think he becomes an exception to the rule over the wage structure.
That’s what Ferdinand suggests – that we should do everything it takes to keep Rashford at United. I’d still argue that we should go down the route of a contract that includes big bonuses based on performances in each game.
Speaking about Rashford on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said (via Manchester Evening News): “Do we break the pay structure to keep Marcus Rashford? They were talking about it [pay structure] in the media and I don’t know how true it is.
“He’s young and he’s a local boy. Players who grow up at their clubs, they are almost treated like second-class citizens by the hierarchy in terms of contracts, they’re never on the biggest contracts, because there is always someone being bought who’s there to elevate.”
Ferdinand added: “It would be a good opportunity to say; ‘No, this is the benchmark. This is a local boy and no one can go beyond him. He’s the one’.
“If they could reverse that [pay structure], it shows a really good, strong pathway from young kids to the first team that they are going to get looked after if they stay here, if they are loyal you will get treated in the right way, it might be a good opportunity to put a flag in the sand and say this is the way that we roll now.”
United have already triggered a one-year option in his current deal and talks are ongoing with Rashford over an improved contract.
On a slightly different note, I would like to think United don’t need to break their wage structure to keep Rashford – but I have no problem with him being one of the highest earners at the club. I strongly doubt he will hold his boyhood club to ransom.
