Man Utd to trigger Marcus Rashford’s one-year contract extension to KO exit fears

MANCHESTER UNITED will trigger their 12-month extension option in Marcus Rashford’s contract to KO any plans of an immediate exit.

The England striker has stalled on signing a new deal as he demands a staggering £350,000-a-week from the club.

The 21-year-old is aware of his value to the Red Devils, with star man Paul Pogba eyeing an Old Trafford exit.

Rashford’s contract runs out at the end of next season, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both interested in signing him.

But boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to keep hold of him, with fears he could leave on a free.

And Old Trafford chiefs will activate his extension before the end of next month on his current £180,000-a-week terms.

The club then plan to thrash out further talks with the academy graduate and his reps and look to come to an arrangement.

It is understood the terms and structure of the five-year deal are proving a sticking point at this stage.

However, United would prefer for Rashford to sign a contract before having their hand forced.

An Old Trafford source said: “We will trigger the option in his deal some time during this summer window.

“He is not being sold to anyone under any circumstances though despite talks going on for a fair while now.

“We know there’s lots of interest in him, that’s obvious. They’ll also be sizeable offers for him as well.

“We’re confident he wants to sign but we have to be firm and we expect this all to be sorted in the next few weeks.

“Ole wants him fully focused on his football and wants the speculation to end around him as soon as possible.

“We know the extra year gives us some breathing space to sort this out and a bit of an insurance policy.”

Rashford is expected to return for pre-season training at United’s Carrington training complex within the fortnight.

Solskjaer is understood to be planning brutal sessions for his flop squad to get them into shape.

He has been furious with the way his side ended the season, as they missed out on the Champions League and finished sixth.