Marcus Rashford backed by former World Cup winner to join Arsenal (Image: Associated Press)
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has backed the Gunners in their bid to move Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford. The forward is currently on loan at Barcelona. The Catalan giants have the option to sign the United academy graduate on a permanent deal for £26 million this summer. However, it is believed that the chances of Barcelona activating this clause have been significantly reduced.
Spanish newspaper “Marca” claims that the La Liga champions’ desire to sign Rashford has “drapedly cooled down” since the beginning of the year due to concerns about his performance. The winger has scored just two goals in Hansi Flick’s last 16 appearances for Hansi Flick’s side and has not been able to capitalize on Rafinha’s recent absence due to injury.
Petit, who won the double with Arsenal in 1997/98, admitted he would welcome Rashford to the Emirates.
The 1998 World Cup winner spoke positively of Rashford’s involvement in the Catalans, despite a difficult start to the year for the 28-year-old who failed to make an impact in Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final win over Atletico Madrid last week.
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He said via Andy’s Bet Club: “I would like to see Marcus Rashford at Arsenal. I think he will have a big impact. What he has achieved at Barcelona has impressed me after a couple of struggling seasons.”
“The Rashford we know has been gone for a while and everyone was criticizing him, but at Barcelona he has regained his qualities.
“Rafinha had a very good record at Barcelona, so I was very surprised that he didn’t start in the Champions League second leg against Atlético.
Emmanuel Petit speaks out about Marcus Rashford (Image: Getty Images)
“Robert Lewandowski, I was very surprised that he sat on the bench for two games. But having Rashford back could be very good for Arsenal. He has something to prove by coming back to England and they need a winger.”
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United caretaker manager Michael Carrick has not ruled out Rashford returning to Old Trafford this summer.
Asked on Friday if the door remained open for the England international, he said: “I think decisions will be made in time on certain things and obviously Marcus is in that situation. But nothing is set in stone at the moment.”
“It’s bound to happen at some point, but there’s nothing to say at this stage.”
Asked if he would keep his options open regarding players, he added: “Well, I’m not going to go into Marcus personally because, as I said, I don’t think it’s right to comment one way or the other at this stage because there’s certainly some uncertainty.”
“But for me, like I said, the individual players that I get to work with in this part of the team, I enjoy it and I try to get the best out of them.”
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