COMMENT: Marcus Rashford and Erik ten Hag. In terms of this partnership, it's fair to say it is the Manchester United manager who is doing all the heavy lifting...

Indeed, it's also fair to say Ten Hag is doing more - far more - to make this relationship work than the United No10.

The Dutchman was at it again on the eve of Sunday's FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool. Amid talk of a Nasser Al-Khelaifi-driven push by PSG to convince United to part with their England forward, Ten Hag was adamant: Rashford is a required player.

"He should be part of this project," was the manager's response. "It is not a subject we talk about."

He then went further, "We did not sign him (to a new contract) last season for five years with the intention to sell him now."

Was it just club politics? Was Ten Hag simply giving us all a couple of digestible soundbites so not to kickup a fuss pre- Liverpool? No. As we've explored in this column. Ten Hag doesn't do poker. If he wants you out, you're out. Cristiano Ronaldo. Jadon Sancho. Ten Hag won't let things drag on if he's given up on you.

For this column, we feel he's flogging a dead horse. But despite the bender of Belfast. Despite attempts to mislead him. Despite no public apology. And - crucially - despite the frustration senior teammates now have towards the player. Ten Hag still believes Rashford is worth persisting with.

As we wrote before Christmas, Ten Hag is a fan of Rashford - the player. He enjoyed working with him last season. And he's done everything this term to try to help the 26 year-old snap this form slump that has weighed him down for much of the campaign. The manager has never given up on him - which, of course, has been an effort not reciprocated by the player.

For this column, the answer should be: sell. A-Khelaifi is eager to close a deal for a mooted £75m. A more than fair price for a player about to turn 27 and who's best days could well be behind him. The negotiations would be smooth. There'd be few stumbles. After all, Rashford and his brother explored such a move two years ago before Ten Hag had even taken a seat in his new office at Carrington. A move to Paris has always been at the back of mind for Rashford.

And as we say, we could be looking at a player who has already peaked. Certainly we're watching someone who's clearly fallen out of love for the game. For his profession. It all seems a chore for Rashford at the moment. The spark. The enthusiasm. It just isn't there.

Alejandro Garnacho is at the beginning of his career. Bruno Fernandes is at his peak. Yet they'll both play anywhere for their manager. Without complaint. Without hesitation. Both will play wide. Through the middle. Up top or off the centre-forward. It doesn't matter, they'll do it - and do it with enthusiasm. But Rashford? Well, it's common knowledge now that he doesn't want to play wide right. He hates it as a centre-forward. And even will turn his nose up as deeper-lying striker. It must be that inside-left role or bust. This isn't us saying it, but ex-player pundits up and down the country.

The game's a chore for Rashford. You don't want to brand him like this. You don't want to write him off. But his antics in Belfast. His response in the Player's Tribune. The sheer lack of contrition for letting the club down. There's very little for any fan of his to cling onto.

The derby goal? Sure. But then in the second-half at Manchester City, Rashford stays down as the hosts breakaway for Phil Foden's equaliser. Let's put it this way: in terms of pressing and defensive work off the ball, he's no Mo Salah. Rashford doesn't do it on purpose. But almost a decade in as a first teamer, he has never been a hard worker out of possession. And he's never shown signs of improvement.

Which is why Ten Hag has this one wrong. The Dutchman rates Rashford. He wants to help him get back to last season's levels. But he's not being met halfway. It's not even close. As it stands today, Marcus Rashford is worth more on the transfer-list than he is on the team sheet.

Ten Hag has tried everything to make this relationship work, but he's getting next to nothing back. It's time for the "project" and the player to part ways.