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Manchester United in talks with Rashford over new contract - sources

Manchester United have opened contract talks with Marcus Rashford, sources have told ESPN FC.

Negotiations with the striker are still at an early stage but United are keen to move quickly to tie down one of the most highly rated young players in the world.

After bursting into the first team squad under Louis van Gaal, Rashford signed a contract in May 2016 which would keep him at Old Trafford until 2021.

But, after becoming an England regular and passing 150 club games, the United hierarchy have decided to reward the 21-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, with a new five-year deal.

Rashford is in the best form of his senior career and his winner at Leicester on Sunday was his eighth goal in his last 13 games. In eight starts under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he has scored six times.

United have already tied down Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial while negotiations with David De Gea are ongoing. United are also in talks with Ander Herrera and Juan Mata, who could leave for free in the summer.

Ashley Young will also be out of contract on June 30 but sources have told ESPN FC he is close to signing a new one-year deal.

Young has been a regular in Solskjaer's team since he replaced Jose Mourinho and the Norwegian, who has been impressed with his role in the dressing room as well as on the pitch, has been involved in the decision to keep hold of the 33-year-old for at least another season.

Young, who has made 25 appearances this term, is set to snub interest from a host of Premier League and European clubs to stay at Old Trafford.