| New beginnings  It is now on Sumit Rathi (left) and Marcus Rashford to show they still have it in them. ( Source: NEUFC and Reuters .) Continents and so much more separate Marcus Rashford and Sumit Rathi that putting them in the same sentence could raise eyebrows and may even lead to eye rolling. One has played 426 times for Manchester United, been part of a European championship final and two World Cups and the other is yet to make his senior international debut. Rashford’s loan to Aston Villa and a possible transfer could fetch Manchester United $50m, Rathi moved on a free. Yet, the next few months will be crucial for these young men as they attempt to reignite careers that once promised much. A season and a half has passed since Rashford scored 30 goals in one term. And it’s been over four since Rathi won the Emerging Player of the Year award of the Indian Super League (ISL) for ATK having pushed seniors, including an India international, down in the pecking order. At Manchester United since he was seven, Rashford is a supporter and product of the club. Selling him would be pure profit and will help United stay on the right side of Profit and Sustainability Rules of the Premier League. Such a long association is rare in India but Rathi joined ATK reserves in 2018. As ATK transitioned to ATK Mohun Bagan and then Mohun Bagan Super Giant, he stayed on, winning the league shield and two ISL cups. Frozen out Ruben Amorim questioning Rashford’s attitude led to the forward being frozen out of the squad since December 12, 2024. “If things don't change, I will not change," Amorim has said. Rathi has not featured in Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s dominant ISL campaign in 24-25 and played 141 minutes in 23-24. The centre-back got 12 minutes in 22-23 and 61 in the season prior. His last start was on December 17, 2023, against Kerala Blasters and Rathi has not played in ISL after being a substitute against East Bengal on February 3, 2024. Dippendu Biswas’s steady rise could be one reason but Mohun Bagan have never spelt out why. And neither have they been forthright on why Rathi was not put up for loan even though he was mostly with the reserve team. On a five-year contract after his excellent performance in 2019-20, Rathi, 23, was released last December. No one who has won the emerging player award has played as few minutes as him. Mandar Tamhane thought the gamble was worth it. A left-footed centre-back is a rare thing in football in India and so, after internal consultations, the CEO of NorthEast United signed Rathi till the end of the season. “I felt this was the right move,” said Rathi. “He had stood out for Indian Arrows in 2017-18,” said Tamhane over the phone from Pune. Tamhane has been following Rathi since and signed him at the first available opportunity. Seeking long-term benefits “It is now for him to show how much he wants it,” said Tamhane. The club is willing to give Rathi space to regain match fitness and Tamhane said a coach like Juan Pedro Benali could help him get back to his best and then get better. “If it works out, not only us, India can benefit,” said Tamhane. The next few months will show if Rathi is up to it mentally and physically.  Villa's new signings in January. ( Source: Aston Villa ) Rashford, 27, can be back-up for Ollie Watkins after Jhon Duran left for Al-Nassr on an $80m deal in the winter window . "I know I can hurt teams, I know when I'm playing at my best I can decide football games,” Rashford has said. And he has Champions League experience. “..So I feel like I'm experienced and know how to handle those types of situations,” he said. Check his interview here . If Rashford can hit the high notes – it will not be easy, being parachuted into the first team after a lay-off rarely is, look no further than Neymar Jr’s return to Santos in the 1-1 draw against Botafogo – it will be a win-win for Villa given the profit they made on Duran. At NorthEast, Rathi can be an option in inner defence and as left back in a team that has lost 17 points from winning positions. “His strong left foot and significant experience for his age make him a valuable asset. His ability to play multiple positions is crucial for our squad,” said Benali. Hello, Shillong It won’t be a new beginning for Rathi alone. On Friday, NorthEast United will add Shillong as a home venue when they host Mumbai City FC. “I am looking forward to.. seeing a part of India I have not seen yet. I am looking forward to playing away in different, much cooler conditions,” said Petr Kratky, the Mumbai City coach .  Shillong as an ISL venue will help football in Meghalaya, says Lallianzuala Chhangte. ( Source: ISL ). Having Guwahati as their home since inception in 2014, the Highlanders will host two more matches at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, against Bengaluru FC (February 21) and East Bengal (March 8). "We are a club representing eight states and we always wanted to bring football to parts of the North-east,” Tamhane was quoted as saying by ISL’s website. The response in Shillong to their semi-final in the Durand Cup helped the club decide, he said. “Online tickets were sold out in 12 minutes and there were 5km long queues for physical tickets.” The match in Shillong will also mark a homecoming for Northeast United’s Redeem Tlang who had started at Shillong Lajong in 2013. “Football is like a religion in Shillong," he said. | 
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