Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has said that Marcus Rashford should push to become the highest-paid player at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old has scored eight goals and registered three assists in 19 appearances for the 20-time English champions during the 2022-23 campaign.

Meanwhile, he has starred for England at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three times in three appearances at the competition, including a brace against Wales last time out.

Rashford's current deal in Manchester is due to expire next June, although the club do have the option of activating a 12-month extension until the summer of 2024.

Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that the Red Devils are confident of being able to sign the academy product to a new long-term agreement in the near future.

Ferdinand has said that Rashford should be asking to become Man United's highest-paid player, having overcome a difficult period to thrive once again.

"That's the first thing I asked in the studio yesterday, I text the group and said 'what's the contract situation with Marcus?'" Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.

"Because boy, the numbers are going up by the minute. Every goal is a nought added to the demands, Man United could be getting pushed into a corner.

"I've got to be honest, I don't know how United have let it get to this point. The only thing I'd say in defence of Man United is he was out of form massively so they was thinking is he going to get his form back but if you gamble that then this happens, he has you in a vice-like grip saying 'show me the money'.

"If I'm him, I don't even negotiate it, I say to my agent 'you ain't going in there, I know my value, I'm walking in there, sitting and saying who is the highest paid player at the club right now?' And you say put a million a year above him."

Rashford's current deal at Old Trafford is believed to be worth in the region of £200,000 a week, but Man United have just removed a huge salary from their budget, with Cristiano Ronaldo collecting £500,000 a week before his deal was terminated.

David de Gea is thought to be the current highest earner at around £375,000 a week, although the Spaniard's contract is also due to expire at the end of the campaign.

Rashford has scored four goals and registered two assists in 14 Premier League appearances this season, while he managed three goals and one assist in the group stage of the Europa League.