Manchester United are said to be preparing a new deal for star forward Marcus Rashford following his incredible run of performancesover the past few weeks.
The 25-year-old has been in phenomenal form since returning from the World Cup, having scored eight goals in his last seven games and even matching Dennis Violet’s record of scoring in nine consecutive home games, which has stood for nearly 65 years.
Not only has he already more than tripled his goal contributions from last season but the number 10 looks to have become a real leader in the team, as exhibited by his determination to stay on in the Manchester derby despite injury, before going on to score the winner.
With that in mind and having now entered the final 18 months of his current deal, Marcus Rashford looks set for a new contract. United will no doubt look to both reward his impressive resurgence and, hopefully, tie him down for as long as possible.
Rashford is in the form of his life and while there are plenty of reasons why, there's one aspect that cannot be overlooked. 👀https://t.co/M6f1AYfzZj
The Wythenshawe-born and bred international looks to be heading into the prime years of his career and it seems that he has every faith from manager Erik ten Hag, who has already insisted that he is not going anywhere and is currently ‘one of the best‘ in the world when it comes to his position.
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That being said, as per the MEN, Rashford’s deal is expected to be renewed with the club upping his present £200,000-a-week salary, though they are apparently reluctant to break the £300,000 threshold so as not to further mess with the wage structure, as several already earn over this amount.
In fact, recent reports have suggested that ten Hag are set to bring in a new wage cap imminently, ensuring that no existing or future United players can earn over £200k a week — an idea that club legend Gary Neville believes might be a mistake.
Should this new limit on salary be true, it is likely that Rashford’s new contract will see him rewarded and incentivised through other means, such as goals and appearance bonuses.
Judging by his current goal tally, he is well on course to beat his personal best in a season (22) and he doesn’t look to be dropped anytime soon.
United did trigger the one-year extension option in Rashford’s deal back in December which will keep him at the club until at least 2024, but aside from shooing off other suitors, if there’s anyone that’s deserving of a new deal it’s their current player of the season.
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Although an agreement is yet to be reached and negotiations are likely in their early stages, sources say United are comfortable with Rashford’s situation and that both parties want a new contract.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
17th January 2023 
