“HE IS OUR KEY MAN”: Man City’s manager identifies a key player that the team desperately needs.

Pep Guardiola has privately admitted that Marcus Rashford is the only Man United player good enough to play regularly for Man City, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed that the Spaniard rates Rashford’s talent and playing style very highly, to the extent that he would thrive in the all-conquering City team.

But Guardiola is said to have told allies that but he believes United’s other first-team stars do not have the capability to be a key player in his system.

However, sources have told Football Insider that the one doubt Guardiola has about Rashford, 26, is his combination play, something the manager puts great store in at City.

Rashford has had a relatively quiet campaign for the Reds Devils having bagged five goals and six assists across 30 appearances in all competitions – still 25 goals away from his haul last season.

Marcus Rashford is highly rated by Man City boss Pep Guardiola

The forward has faced criticism this season for his off-field antics and lack of contributions on the pitch, but Guardiola is adamant that he would prosper at the Etihad.

The England international has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain with superstar Kylian Mbappe set to depart at the end of the season.

However, sources have told Football Insider (19 February) that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS outfit are keen to keep him at the club.

Despite his lack of goal contributions this season, Rashford remains a key player for Erik ten Hag having started 25 games in all competitions.

Man City moved to second in the Premier League table after their 1-0 win against Brentford on Tuesday (20 February), while Man United remain sixth.

City next face Bournemouth on Saturday evening (24 February), while United play Fulham at Old Trafford.

In other news, Man United coach in advanced talks to join new club after further negotiations today – sources.

READ NEXT….

Sean Fisher

Thu 21 December 2023 17:59, UK

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given the green light for a huge Man United exodus that will see hundreds of jobs axed once his takeover is completed, sources have told Football Insider.

The British billionaire is set to take sporting control at Old Trafford once his £1.3billion investment is completed.

Ratcliffe is set to purchase a 25 percent stake in the Red Devils, but will have control over recruitment and staff behind the scenes.

Sources have told Football Insider that Ratcliffe has given orders to cut around 100 jobs at United in a “huge” exodus after concluding that the club is overstaffed in multiple departments.

As reported by the Daily Mail, United have over 1,100 employees at the club – the largest workforce of all Premier League clubs.

The report adds that the club’s staffing numbers have increased from around 800 to 1112 this year alone.

That figure is far higher than United’s ‘Big Six’ rivals, with Liverpool employing around 900 staff and Man City just 720.

Staffing cuts are expected to be across multiple departments, with Ratcliffe hoping to save millions of pounds from the club’s wage bill.

United posted a club-record revenue of £648.4million when their 2022/23 accounts were released in October – although the club still suffered a loss of £42million.

Staff cuts are expected to be made very early into Ratcliffe’s reign as the 71-year-old begins his rebuild of the Manchester club.

His investment is expected to be announced in the coming days.