Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has openly advocated for the North London club to move for Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. In a recent appearance on Sky Sports' "Tottenham Summer Special" podcast, O'Hara argued that the current Spurs manager, Roberto De Zerbi, would be the perfect "man‑manager" to unlock Rashford’s full potential, especially as the forward’s future at United remains uncertain. According to Sky Sports News, acquiring a left‑sided attacker is a top priority for Tottenham this window.
The club has already been linked with Manchester City’s promising youngster Savinho and Liverpool’s versatile forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should be the marquee target. He said, "I just don’t understand why we’re not chasing Marcus. How much would we have to pay? What can we get him for?" He acknowledged the financial hurdle – Rashford is reportedly on a £350,000‑a‑week contract – but suggested that a player of his calibre could be motivated by a fresh challenge and the chance to prove himself under a new manager.
O'Hara also highlighted Rashford’s recent season, noting that after a loan spell at Barcelona the forward returned to United’s squad. While Barcelona chose not to sign him permanently, Rashford still posted impressive numbers in La Liga, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances as the Catalans clinched the league title.
O'Hara feels that the 28‑year‑old would fit the "bomba" signing that De Zerbi hinted at last month – a high‑profile wide player to bolster Spurs’ attack as the summer transfer window draws to a close. "De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," O'Hara asserted.
"He knows how to get the best out of a player with pace, work‑rate and a keen eye for goal. If we can secure him, even at a reduced wage, he would instantly raise the quality of our front line." He added that the left side of the pitch still needs reinforcement; while Mathys Tel shows promise, O'Hara doubts the teenager can be the immediate solution for a side that aims to compete at the highest level. Tottenham have already spent a club‑record £237 million on six new signings this summer, including the £100 million acquisition of Sandro Tonali.
However, concerns linger that the recruitment drive has slowed, leaving the forward line thinner than desired with just under three weeks remaining until the deadline on September 1. Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge praised De Zerbi’s hands‑on approach, saying the manager has been given the “keys” to shape the squad and that supporters can expect decisive action on attacking options.
The discussion also turned to the potential departure of right‑back Djed Spence, who is reportedly close to a £30 million move to Inter Milan. O'Hara expressed disappointment at the prospect of losing Spence, describing him as a versatile defender capable of playing across the back line and on the wing. "He’s athletic, strong, decent on the ball, and can cover multiple positions," O'Hara said.
He warned that Spence’s exit would leave Pedro Porro as the sole recognized right‑back, raising concerns about depth if injuries strike. If Spence does leave, Sky Sports senior editor Lyall Thomas suggested Tottenham should target a younger right‑back with development potential, while also noting that Porro’s reliability makes him a valuable mentor for any emerging talent. Both O'Hara and Thomas agreed that the club must act quickly to ensure adequate cover on the right flank before the window shuts.
In summary, O'Hara’s message to the Spurs hierarchy is clear: pursue Rashford aggressively, leverage De Zerbi’s managerial style to maximize the forward’s impact, and address the right‑back situation either by retaining Spence or signing a promising replacement. He believes that if the club can secure the financial means – and De Zerbi’s vision aligns – a high‑profile signing like Rashford could propel Tottenham to a new competitive level. For the full conversation, listeners can tune into the "Tottenham Summer Special" podcast on Sky Sports or watch the episode on YouTube.