Manchester United star Marcus Rashford could become the ‘face’ of the club after Cristiano Ronaldo’s Old Trafford exit, football journalist Steve Bates has told GiveMeSport.

Ronaldo left Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils last month, when his contract was terminated by mutual agreement following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

Man United contract news – Marcus Rashford

According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are preparing a £400,000-per-week contract offer which would make Rashford the highest-paid player on their books following Ronaldo’s departure.

The report suggests the winger has already turned down a £300,000-per-week proposal, but the Red Devils remain eager to tie him down to fresh terms as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their interest.

While Manchester United have been unable to persuade Rashford to put pen-to-paper yet, they have triggered a 12-month extension to his current agreement.

hat has given the Red Devils some breathing space ahead of the January transfer window as, prior to the in-house decision, the England international’s £200,000-per-week contract was due to expire next summer.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth recently told GiveMeSport that Rashford ‘loves it at Manchester United’ and wants to stay with his boyhood club.

What has Steve Bates said about Rashford?

Bates believes Rashford could become a Manchester United icon and step into the departed Ronaldo’s shoes as the club’s most recognisable star.

The journalist feels the 25-year-old’s recent performances for club and country show that he still has a big future ahead of him.

Bates told GiveMeSport: “With Ronaldo now gone, I think Rashford could be the face of Manchester United.

“He could be the poster boy for United for the next few years. He’s young, an attacker, plays for England and is a dynamic player.”