Manchester United are ready to make Marcus Rashford one of their highest paid players after a breakthrough in contract talks, sources have told ESPN FC.

Rashford is close to signing a new five-year deal, with the terms of the agreement set to reflect his importance at Old Trafford.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Rashford's new wage will not match Alexis Sanchez's £391,000-a-week deal but will see him earn around £200,000 a week.

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United have been aware of interest in the England international from clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City, but there is growing confidence they have done enough to tie the 21-year-old down to a fresh contract.

An academy graduate who has been at the club since the age of seven, Rashford is central to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's vision for the future.

Another former academy star, Jesse Lingard, has been pencilled in for the next round of contract renewals, although formal talks have not yet started.

Rashford is still on the terms agreed after his breakthrough season under Louis van Gaal in 2016. He has scored 45 goals in 170 appearances since making his senior debut in February that year, winning 32 England caps.

Months of negotiations could conclude soon, with an announcement before the start of the season in August.

It is a boost for Solskjaer, who has made Rashford one of his key players since taking over from Jose Mourinho in December.

That has seen Romelu Lukaku fall down the pecking order, and sources have told ESPN FC that Lukaku would be open to working with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan if a fee can be agreed. United are holding out for £80 million.

Meanwhile, former United striker Wayne Rooney, now at D.C. United, praised Van Gaal for his approach at Old Trafford.

"Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with," said Rooney, who has revealed he plans to go into management when his playing career ends.

"His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before."