By Chris Wheeler And Sami Mokbel For The Daily Mail
Published: 22:30 BST, 17 April 2019 | Updated: 22:30 BST, 17 April 2019
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Marcus Rashford is stalling over a new contract at Manchester United, as the scale of the rebuilding job facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes clear.
Rashford was linked with a move to Barcelona in the build-up to United's Champions League exit at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night, a 3-0 defeat that emphasised the yawning gap in class between the two clubs.
United were disappointed about the timing of the reports and insist Rashford is not for sale.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is stalling over signing a new contract
A Manchester-born product of the club's academy, he is the last player they would want to lose. It is understood the interest from Barcelona is genuine even though the Spaniards accept it will be very hard to prise the 21-year-old striker away from Old Trafford.
The speculation plays into the hands of Rashford's camp at a time when talks have begun over a new contract. His deal runs out at the end of next season, although United have an option to extend it by 12 months.
Initial negotiations have been described as positive and the club are said to be relaxed about the situation.
However, Rashford's representatives are in no hurry to commit when they are in such a strong bargaining position and believe they could have their pick of Europe's top clubs.
Rashford, whose deal expires at the end of next season, is demanding £200,000 a week
They are looking for wages in excess of £200,000 a week and are also thought to be seeking assurances that Rashford will remain in a central role after ousting Romelu Lukaku as United's first-choice centre forward.
The England international has discovered his top form under Solskjaer and was arguably United's best player over the two legs against Barcelona.
However, the manager is said to have detected a change in
