Manchester United will reportedly open contract talks with Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw despite their difficult campaigns this season.
Rashford has endured a season to forget at Old Trafford. The England international, 24, has scored just five goals in all competitions, the worst return of his career to date. He found the back of the net 43 times in the previous two campaigns combined.
Shaw is also struggling to impress at United. He's played only 19 Premier League games this term - his lowest appearance tally since 2017-18 - and some are calling for him to be omitted from Gareth Southgate's England squad for this year's World Cup.
Despite this, both could sign contract extensions in the coming weeks. According to ESPN, United will open talks with their representatives shortly and both are considered members of a "key group of core players" that will be part of the club's future. The Red Devils are on the verge of announcing a new five-year deal with Bruno Fernandes, doubling his pay packet to £240,000-a-week, with more stars now expected to follow.
Both Rashford and Shaw are out of contract in 15 months' time. As exclusively revealed by Mirror Football, Arsenal are plotting to sign Rashford this summer. The Gunners are on the hunt for a new striker after allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave in February.
Rashford is said to be "open-minded" about his future and isn't in a rush to decide his next move. The forward was dropped for England's friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast this month following his poor form throughout this season.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino believes Rashford isn't ready to lead Arsenal's attack. "If you’re going to a club like Arsenal, they’re looking to progress and be a Champions League team, so you have to be clinical in front of goal," he said.
United are enduring a tough season. They're currently sixth in the Premier League - four points behind Arsenal in fourth having played a game more - and failed to challenge in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League, entering a sixth year without silverware.
Unlike Rashford, Shaw has not been linked with a transfer. He scored England's equaliser against Switzerland on Saturday evening and praised Southgate for creating an "enjoyable" atmosphere, yet he hasn't said the same about United interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
"I think the environment here that Gareth creates, you always enjoy it," said the defender. "When I come here it's about enjoyment and playing games with a smile on your face and enjoying it here when I come here, I always do that. We all love playing for our country, when we're here we purely focus on what's happening here, my main focus is England at this time."
When asked if he needs to be happy to play well, Shaw added: "I think everyone does. It's always important to feel like you're wanted. Especially here, I always feel that. I'm not saying I don't at United, but here the way things are, I feel wanted and enjoy my football.
"A big part of football is enjoyment. It's hard to enjoy it when we're losing and not playing well at club level. We have to face that. This season it's not been good enough so it's hard to enjoy it. We know we've got a lot to improve at the club. Right now we're here with England so we focus on that."
